The Youth Workforce Development Foundation along with their parent company SkillsUSA have partnered with the Association of Equipment Distributors (AED) to establish a groundbreaking partnership promoting workforce development. While expanding their apprenticeship initiatives nationwide, the collaboration addresses challenges faced by young talents aged 16 to 18, ensuring their seamless transition into the engineering and manufacturing sectors.
The Youth Workforce Development Foundation, SkillsUSA, and other national associations hold technical competitions for students in over 130 professional fields. One significant challenge is connecting underage students with job opportunities, often restricted due to insurance and child labor laws. To overcome this hurdle, The Youth Workforce Development Foundation has partnered with the U.S. Department of Labor to establish a registered apprenticeship program, allowing companies to hire students as young as 16, opening up new pathways and untapped markets.
The Youth Workforce Development Foundation complements this initiative by providing companies struggling to hire with a youth apprenticeship program. The organization guides companies through the apprenticeship process, negotiating with the U.S. Department of Labor on their behalf and helping establish internal training mechanisms. This collaborative effort benefits employers with tax incentives and ensures a pipeline of skilled young individuals entering the workforce.
AED, a membership organization that supports major OEMs in off-highway construction equipment and supports construction equipment dealers, recognized the need for workforce development. To address this issue, they partnered with The Youth Workforce Development Foundation to enhance apprenticeship opportunities for their members. By combining forces, the organizations aim to expand their successful apprenticeship model into nine states in the first year, providing valuable support to the industry and its members.
The partnership emphasizes the importance of nurturing young talent between 16 and 18 years old, a critical age range where decisions about career paths often shape future trajectories. “This collaboration will ensure that individuals passionate about engineering and manufacturing don't miss out on opportunities due to age restrictions, potentially transferring to other industries,” expresses Eric Hill, Executive Director.
The Youth Workforce Development Foundation's commitment to supporting apprenticeships aligns with its decision to expand nationwide. The organization believes in doubling down on investments, enabling students to enter the workforce, generate tax dollars, and contribute significantly to the industry before the age of 30. This nonprofit national education association aims to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment by breaking down barriers and providing direct support to students entering the workforce.
The partnership, gaining momentum through discussions with state apprenticeship agencies, is poised to significantly impact workforce development by filling engineering and manufacturing gaps and providing valuable opportunities for talented young individuals nationwide.
Media Contact:
Name: Eric Hill
Email: [email protected]
