Maryland Apprenticeship Connector announces the launch of “Apprentice Connect,” a new website designed to serve as a comprehensive resource for employers, educators, and career seekers interested in Maryland’s apprenticeship opportunities.
The launch of Apprentice Connect is funded through the Maryland State Department of Education’s (MSDE) Maryland Works Grant to invest in foundational systems and processes needed to structure and sustain high-quality college and career pathways that are responsive to market demand.
The Apprentice Connect website, accessible at macworkforce.org, is a one-stop resource designed for three key audiences: career seekers, employers, and educators. For career seekers, it offers a path to explore apprenticeship opportunities and gain a clear understanding of the skills and support needed to succeed. Employers can find critical information on how apprenticeships can be integrated into their talent pipeline strategies, helping them recruit, train, and retain a skilled workforce. Additionally, educators can explore how to bring work-based learning into the classroom to prepare students for career success, whether or not they pursue traditional college paths.
“Apprentice Connect provides a starting point for every stakeholder in Maryland’s workforce ecosystem,” explained Jenn Dewees, cofounder at MAC. “Whether you’re a student looking to start a career, an employer needing skilled talent, or an educator shaping the future of Maryland’s workforce, this platform offers the resources and connections needed to make apprenticeships work for you.”
The Apprentice Connect website was designed to simplify access to apprenticeship programs by offering tailored information based on the user’s role and location. By providing localized resources across Maryland’s counties and cities, the platform ensures that individuals and businesses have direct connections to the people, organizations, and programs that matter most in their communities.
The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future sets the goal that by 2030, 45% of high school graduates will have completed a registered apprenticeship or earned an industry-recognized credential. The launch of this platform is especially timely as Maryland continues to build momentum in addressing workforce shortages through innovative programs like the Apprenticeship Maryland Program (AMP). During the 2023-2024 school year, AMP celebrated significant milestones, with over 1,000 active youth apprentices and more than 300 approved employers participating across the state. Programs like AMP are critical in expanding opportunities for non-traditional industries and ensuring that Maryland’s future workforce is diverse, skilled, and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
This year, MAC has worked diligently to expand access to apprenticeship opportunities across Maryland through partnerships to launch the Business Analytics, Data Science, and AI Youth Apprenticeship Program with Health Tech Alley, a high school Registered Apprenticeship Program with CTEWorkforce, and increased electrician apprenticeship participation with IEC Chesapeake.
Apprentice Connect will be unveiled at MAC’s 2024 Workforce Roadshow, with events scheduled throughout the state. These events will bring together employers, educators, and community leaders to demonstrate how apprenticeships are a vital part of Maryland’s economic strategy. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn firsthand about the benefits of apprenticeships, explore resources available to support apprenticeship programs and discover how they can be part of the solution to Maryland’s workforce needs.
If you are a career seeker, educator, or employer in Maryland who wants to learn about apprenticeships, visit macworkforce.org. To join us at one of our upcoming roadshow events, visit macworkforce.org/roadshow/ to register.
About Maryland Apprenticeship Connector
The Maryland Apprenticeship Connector (MAC) is a collaborative effort of its founding partners, the Maryland Center for Construction Education & Innovation (MCCEI), Health Tech Alley (HTA), and Carroll Technology & Innovation Council (CTIC), to build an apprenticeship ecosystem for Maryland. MAC exists to illuminate the undeniable value of apprenticeships, championing them as an essential pathway across all industries to achieve immediate operational benefits while also future-proofing employers’ workforces. Visit macworkforce.org to learn more.
