A message from Jill Griffin, Director of Workforce, Diversity and Supplier Development with a message about National Apprenticeship Week

GriffinThe Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) and the casino licensees currently in construction phase support National Apprenticeship Week and today will celebrate National Women in Apprenticeship Day to highlight opportunities for women and people of color in registered pre-apprentice programs… While many prospective union construction workers are involved with apprenticeships and related available resources, women continue to be underrepresented in the building trades. National Women in Apprenticeship Day is an opportunity to recognize efforts by Gaming Licensees, the Building and Construction Trades Unions, the Policy Group on Tradeswomen’s Issues, community groups and other industry stakeholders, to encourage current and future women apprentices to access high-wage, high-skill career opportunities in the building trades.

President Obama designated November 14th-November 20th as the 2016 National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) which marks the 2nd annual week-long recognition of the nation’s apprenticeship programs and apprentices. With President Obama signing annual apprenticeship funding into effect for the first time in the Fiscal Year 2016 spending bill, the Department of Labor has been using the $90 million in funds for investments through Apprenticeship USA. These investments have allowed the expansion of apprenticeships and the organizations and programs that support them.

MGC recognizes the value of registered apprenticeships to our economy and workforce and thus works with casino licensees to expand opportunities for women, veterans and people of color during their construction phase. MGC regularly collaborates with casino licensees to distribute information about upcoming building trade apprenticeship enrollment in Massachusetts. In addition, the casino licensees continue their outreach to encourage the participation of local, minority, women, and veteran union workers on their projects, and apprenticeships are the key to many of these opportunities.

I was pleased to join Mayor Walsh, Senator Dorcena Forry, members of the building trades unions and other stakeholders on  Tuesday, November 15th to commemorate the Policy Group on Tradeswomen’s Issues’ first annual “Crushing Barriers for Women in Apprenticeship Awards” at the Sheet Metal Workers Local 17 Training Center, Dorchester, MA. MGC recognizes that registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts, particularly those in the building trades, are an invaluable path to gaining skills, earning high wages and creating a life-long career.

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