BALTIMORE, MD—The Maryland Department of Labor on Wednesday announced that the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council has approved three new registered apprenticeship programs and eight new youth apprenticeship employers.

These additions to Maryland’s apprenticeship programs are expanding opportunities for students and workers in high-wage skilled trade jobs and non-traditional industries while supporting the workforce needs of local businesses.

“As our apprenticeship team continues its successful outreach efforts, more and more Maryland employers have expressed an interest in creating their own registered apprenticeship programs,” said Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson. “Regardless of industry or region, businesses in our state should strongly consider adopting the apprenticeship model in order to build their future workforce.”

Apprenticeships are full-time careers that include on-the-job training and classroom instruction that allow apprentices to earn while they learn. Anyone 18 or older can be a registered apprentice, while high school students can pursue youth apprenticeships. The school-to-apprenticeship model allows youth ages 16 or 17 to register as apprentices with a registered apprenticeship sponsor prior to graduation.

At the September council meeting, GRD Electrical, LLC, Goel DC, LLC, and JMT Services, Inc. were approved as new apprenticeship sponsors. These new programs include occupations in the construction industry such as electrician, construction worker and sheet metal worker.

The construction industry is projected to grow over 8 percent over the next two years, which will increase the demand for skilled workers. Howard Community College, an existing program, was also approved to add the occupations of: IT field support specialist, level 1, IT field support specialist, level 2, and information systems security engineer.

“What we do with apprenticeship changes lives,” said P.J. Goel, President and CEO of Goel DC. LLC. “My team and I appreciate the opportunity to grow our program and continue changing lives for the better.”

The Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council also approved the addition of eight new eligible employers for the Apprenticeship Maryland Program, the state’s youth apprenticeship program. These employers, located in Frederick, Kent, Queen Anne’s, Talbot and Washington counties, include: CAS Engineering, Fahrney-Keedy Memorial Home, Inc., Fountain Head Country Club, Plamondon Hospitality Partners, Greenscapes Land Care, LLC, iFrog Digital Marketing, RAUCH, Inc., and The Whalen Company.

“As part of our company mission, one of our declarations is, ‘Education will change our world.’ To embrace that value, we empower our employees to learn and grow at work every day,” said Peter Plamondon, Jr., Co-President of Plamondon Hospitality Partners. “We think this apprenticeship program will be a great resource for Frederick County residents to learn new job skills, and we are proud to be part of it.”

Businesses and job seekers interested in apprenticeships are invited to contact [email protected] or call 410-767-2246.