NEWS

UPCOMING EVENTS

20 Feb 2025
Promising Practices in Registered Apprenticeship from a Rural Community College
Virtual

Promising Practices in Registered Apprenticeship from a Rural Community College

Rural community colleges face unique challenges when implementing Registered Apprenticeship programs. In this webinar, Safal Partners Workforce Director Dr. Melissa Schroeder will host a discussion with David Shofstahl, Apprenticeship Coordinator and Workforce Program Manager for Skilled Trades at Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC). As a recognized leader in workforce development, David has navigated unique challenges of implementing Registered Apprenticeship programs in rural areas. MGCC, the second smallest community college in Virginia, has utilized innovative approaches to overcome significant barriers to apprenticeship adoption. 

Drawing on her 16 years of successful experience leading state and federal workforce and education initiatives including Registered Apprenticeship program expansion, Dr. Melissa Schroeder will offer her insight into the challenges and opportunities facing community colleges. Having previously led the Division of Workforce & Economic Development at the College of Southern Nevada, Dr. Schroeder brings deep expertise in creating apprenticeship pathways. Participants will receive an opportunity to ask our experts questions. 

Link to register

26 Feb 2025
National Career Pathways Network Connect Conference
Austin, TX

National Career Pathways Network Connect Conference

The National Career Pathways Network (NCPN) is dedicated to improving the education-to-careers pipeline through professional development in career and technical education (CTE), Career Pathways, Adult Career Pathways, and workforce development. They are hosting their annual conference, NCPN Connect 2025.

The Center of Excellence will host the interactive workshop, Building Student Awareness of Apprenticeship Career Pathways, equipping both stakeholders and educators with tools to link Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs and successful education-to-apprenticeship pathways. The session will provide data showcasing the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship and a discussion around expert insights on effective transitions to apprenticeship.

The presentation will also discuss how our Center of Excellence can provide your state and local CTE leadership and program instructors with customized, no-cost TA, resources and tools to engage in pre-apprenticeship.

Link to register

03 Mar 2025
COABE 2025 National Conference
Dallas, TX

COABE 2025 National Conference

The COABE 2025 national conference is the world’s largest adult education conference where you will access new best practices and receive targeted training from national level speakers. Fifteen state of the art strands, comprised of nearly 500 breakout sessions will be offered over 3-4 days, providing valuable, state-of-the-art training that you will be able to take back to your adult education program! Join more than 3,000 conferees and enjoy numerous networking opportunities with your adult education peers from around the country!

Center subject matter experts will be onsite providing Registered Apprenticeship Technical Assistance and presenting the workshop, Bridging the Gap: Empowering Adult Learners through Registered and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs.

Link to Register

PAST EVENTS

Feb 05

Washington, DC

Apprenticeships for America Summit 2025

Apprenticeships for America will host the 2025 AFA Summit featuring five plenary sessions, twenty breakout sessions, and a tech expo. The Summit is focused on addressing timely issues facing apprenticeship, including sustainability and scaling, state and regional policy and practices, strategies for advancing success in apprenticeship, and the evolving roles of intermediaries. The conference will also explore apprenticeship recruitment and pipeline development, the involvement of community colleges in apprenticeship, degrees and apprenticeship, and youth apprenticeship, as well as providing opportunities for participants to attendee sector-focused sessions. 

Center subject matter experts, Katie Adams and Alan Dodkowitz will present, System Building to Scale, on Wednesday, February 5th from 9:45-10:45 am EST. 

Link to register

Apprenticeship for America 2025 Summit
Jan 28

Coranado, CA

Workforce Development Institute 2025: Uncharted Courses

The Workforce Development Institute 2025: Uncharted Courses is an opportunity to engage with thought leaders and innovators in workforce and economic development. Hear Center staff moderate an interactive panel discussion designed to provide insight for colleges looking to position talent and potential funding streams for RA in their communities. The panel will include Anthony Cordova, Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Economic Development at California Community College; Marvin Martinez, Chancellor of Rancho Santiago Community College District; and David Shofstahl, Apprenticeship Coordinator at Mountain Gateway Community College. 

Link to Register

Workforce Development Institute 2025: Uncharted Courses
Jan 09

Equipping Chambers of Commerce to Engage in Registered Apprenticeship

Equipping Chambers of Commerce to Engage in Registered Apprenticeship

The Center of Excellence's subject matter experts Alan Dodkowitz, Nicole Bentley, and Jeremy Faulkner, alongside Amy Shields, the Executive Director of the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives (ACCE) Foundation and VP of Programs at ACCE, discussed how chambers can play one or more primary roles in Registered Apprenticeship. Participants also heard findings from a collaborative knowledge assessment given to member chambers and guidance on how chambers can serve as effective conveners of member employers.

Link to PPT

Link to Webinar

Equipping Chambers of Commerce to Engage in Registered Apprenticeship
Dec 04

San Antonio, TX

ACTE CareerTECH Vision 2024

ACTE CareerTECH Vision 2024

ACTE's CareerTech VISION was an event for career and technical education (CTE) professionals. VISION offered comprehensive programming covering high-quality CTE in secondary and postsecondary environments and emerging trends in the field to help career and technical educators thrive in their careers. VISION provided attendees with a rich array of networking opportunities, an Expo, hundreds of concurrent program sessions, and numerous networking opportunities.

Center subject matter experts presented the workshop, "Help is Here! Federal Resources to Create Industry-Aligned Pre-Apprenticeship Programs."

Link to Website

ACTE CareerTECH Vision 2024