RCCD Recognizes National Apprenticeship Week

​National Apprenticeship Week was established by the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to celebrate the significant impact Registered Apprenticeship programs have had in re-building the economy, advancing racial and gender equity, building a pipeline to good, quality jobs, and supporting underserved communities. The colleges of the Riverside Community College District (RCCD) will spend the week of November 14-20 showcasing apprenticeship programs and demonstrating the impact such learning opportunities can have on the communities of the Inland Empire.

In September, RCCD secured a USDOL grant of nearly $5 million to support and expand the LAUNCH Apprenticeship Network - a growing network of education and industry organizations committed to expanding opportunity and access in our region's apprenticeship system. RCCD plans to use the $4,697,637 to support 20 new apprenticeship programs that will be available to local residents, and to expand existing programs and assist in building pre-apprenticeship programs.

On November 15, the Inland Empire Apprenticeship Expo, will be held at the Moreno Valley Conference and Recreation Center. The Expo is for invited high school students from the counties of Riverside and San Bernardino. The City of Moreno Valley, the Riverside and San Bernardino Counties Building and Construction Trades Council AFL-CIO, and the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools, are partners in the Expo, which will run from 9 am to 1 pm. There are 689 high school students attending this event. In the afternoon from 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm it will be open to the general public. To register and sign up for the Inland Empire Apprenticeship General Session, please CLICK HERE.

Students attending the Expo will discover career pathways and network opportunities with industry representatives from the building and construction trades and non-traditional businesses and organizations offering additional apprenticeship opportunities. The Expo will focus on career pathways in several fields and is an important event for the USDOL and the Department of Apprenticeship Standards during National Apprenticeship Week.

RCCD's Moreno Valley College, has been selected as an Apprenticeship Ambassador by the USDOL. Only organizations with proven success experience with a registered apprenticeship program are eligible to become ambassadors. The Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative seeks to create a nation-wide network of employers, labor organizations, industry associations, program sponsors, educators, workforce intermediaries, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to serve as champions for expanding and diversifying Registered Apprenticeships.

The initiative's aim is to expand awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships in the US for employers, career seekers, educators and communities. Ambassadors are tasked with identifying and scaling innovative practices and partnerships to modernize, strengthen and accelerate the adoption of apprenticeships; increasing access and support for underrepresented and underserved populations, especially women, youth, people of color, rural communities, justice-involved individuals, and people with disabilities; and communicating the business case for apprenticeships as a mainstream workforce strategy for high-demand industries while creating good job opportunities for Americans.

RCCD colleges are always looking for employers interested in introducing meaningful opportunities for students through apprenticeship programs. Wages for paid apprenticeships vary, and students will be awarded a state-issued Apprenticeship Certificate upon completing the program. Apprenticeships can last up to two years, the time it takes to also secure a degree or certificates. Apprenticeship opportunities are available at no cost to learners.

Currently, Moreno Valley College offers apprenticeship opportunities in information technology and cybersecurity programs. Norco College has established apprenticeship partnerships with several employers in the manufacturing trades in the following degree pathways — manufacturing, conventional machine operator, computerized numerical control operator and programmer, and industrial automation. Riverside City College offers apprenticeships in the fields of automotive, cyber security, culinary and early childhood education.​