The United States Department of Labor has announced the latest round of Apprenticeship Expansion Grant awards as part of its State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF). The grant aims to help states increase and expand apprenticeship opportunities in high-growth, high-demand industries. Recently, the Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner (OLC) received $721,602 through the SAEF Grant to grow apprenticeship programs in Nevada.
As a result of this grant, the OLC, through the Nevada State Apprenticeship Council, will be awarding funds to the Culinary Academy Las Vegas (CALV) apprenticeship program and the UNLV Educator Pathways program in support of their Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
The CALV program provides paid learning opportunities to individuals in underserved communities through education, training, and employment in the culinary arts. Culinary apprentices work under a full-time certified chef instructor, are paid a competitive salary, and are provided with uniforms and materials needed for their training. These individuals work towards certification in the culinary union upon completion of their apprenticeship and are expected to receive job offers from many Las Vegas resorts that partner with CALV.
The Teacher Pathways program provides paid educator preparation pathways including the Paraprofessional Pathways Project and the Accelerated Alternative Route to Licensure. The Teacher Pathways program serves Nevada students across the state through partnerships with over fifteen school and district employer partners. The program also offers hybrid and remote programming that widens student access to higher education. The SAEF grant will help increase the number of apprenticeship opportunities available in these key occupations in Nevada.
“With our state’s incredible diversity, fostering career training and connecting people to opportunities is vital for our community’s continued growth,” said Nevada’s State Apprenticeship Director Toni Giddens. “This grant award enables awardees to pursue a career and obtain financial stability without incurring debt.”
Nevada Labor Commissioner Brett Harris added, “The apprenticeship model provides paid learning for individuals to obtain good-paying jobs and develop careers. The Office of the Labor Commissioner’s SAEF grant partnerships create opportunities that not only meet individual needs but also Nevada’s statewide workforce needs.”
For more information on registered apprenticeships in Nevada, please visit https://labor.nv.gov/Wages/Nevada_State_Apprenticeship_Council/.