National Apprenticeship Week Breakfast

In honor of the sixth annual National Apprenticeship Week, Baltimore Alliance for Careers in Healthcare (BACH) held a breakfast to acknowledge the sponsoring agency and employee partners that make the program a success.

Through apprenticeship, participants are able to train for in-demand, skilled healthcare occupations without giving up income. BACH currently offers apprenticeships for jobs including Environmental Care Supervisor, Surgical Technologist, Central Sterile Processing Technician, Licensed Practical Nurse, and Medical Assistant. Partner hospitals and healthcare organizations include Autumn Lake Healthcare, Genesis Healthcare, Johns Hopkins Hospital, LifeBridge Health, Medstar Health, and University of Maryland Medical Center.

“When we travel around the state, we’re used to giving awards. It’s not often that we receive one,” quipped Maryland Department of Labor Assistant Secretary James Rzepkowski during his remarks. He noted that BACH was one of the first organizations to sign on to the apprenticeship program, in 2017, and pioneered the five current apprenticeship tracks.

“The Pandemic made us all realize the stresses on the healthcare system and the need for critically skilled workers. [The apprenticeship programs] prepare participants to understand not only the job but the environment where they will do the job,” continued Rzepkowski.

BACH is the largest facilitator of healthcare workforce training opportunities in the state. More than 80 participants have completed BACH’s apprenticeship programs to date.

“Employment that offers family-sustaining wages and an attractive career path is a vital linchpin in economic development. When individuals don’t have to worry about where their next paycheck is coming from, it gives them the sustainability to be able to be good parents, be productive members of society, and be able to give back to their communities,” said Jeffrey Smith, Apprenticeship Program Manager for the Department of Labor.

In addition to Rzepkowski and Smith, U.S. Department of Labor Regional Director James Foti attended, as did Charles Young, from the Office of the Comptroller, representatives from BACH partner hospitals, and members of BACH’s board.

“We are thrilled to have Regional Director Foti and Assistant Secretary Rzepowski with us today,” said BACH’s Board Chair Michele Sedney. “Their presence reinforces the importance of the service we provide to the community.”

National Apprenticeship Week is a nationwide celebration to showcase the opportunities that apprenticeship offers for Americans to develop workplace experience and skills that employers value.

Meet some of BACH’s current and former apprentices and learn about their challenges and successes by clicking here.

You can help us fund slots for future apprentices by donating today.