Ironworkers Local 70 Named Apprenticeship Ambassador by U.S. Department of Labor

Initiative seeks to expand and diversify registered apprenticeships across the nation

FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 19, 2023) — Gov. Andy Beshear today congratulated Ironworkers Local 70 on its recent selection as a national Apprenticeship Ambassador by the U.S. Department of Labor. This initiative aims to promote, expand and diversify the workforce while filling critical skilled-worker gaps through Registered Apprenticeship Programs.  

“Congratulations to the Ironworkers Local 70 for being chosen as a national Apprenticeship Ambassador, an elite national designation recognizing their success and leadership in training apprentices for more than 50 years,” said Gov. Beshear. “As a national leader in registered apprenticeships, Kentucky is using its experience and expertise to promote and expand this valuable workforce strategy across all industries.”

Ironworkers Local 70 is the second Kentucky organization to be chosen by USDOL for the Apprenticeship Ambassadors initiative. The Kentucky Department of Education, Office of Career and Technical Education, was selected for the initial cohort last year along with 205 ambassadors. This year’s cohort has 98 organizations for a total of 303 Apprenticeship Ambassadors in the national program.

“Registered Apprenticeship is a tried-and-true approach to training that ensures employees are ready to produce at the highest skill levels required for an occupation,” said Kentucky Education and Labor Cabinet Secretary Jamie Link. “The Cabinet’s Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services is honored to work with Ironworkers Local 70 to spread the message that related technical instruction plus on-the-job training results in a skilled and certified workforce.”

According to the Cabinet’s Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services, there are currently 572 Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the state with 4,717 apprentices in diverse industries such as health care, cybersecurity, skilled trades, advanced manufacturing and hospitality.

“Ironworkers Local 70 has been building steel structures in our area since 1903, and utilizing a Registered Apprenticeship Program since 1954, making us the sixth oldest active Registered Apprenticeship Program in Kentucky,” said Apprenticeship and Training Coordinator for Ironworkers Local 70 Ryan Terry. “We are proud to be recognized as Apprenticeship Ambassadors, highlighting our historic role in helping build our state, while offering us new outlets to expand our ability to offer opportunities for high-paying blue-collar careers to underrepresented groups in both our rural and urban communities. We look forward to helping to create these pathways to success with our partners old and new, and helping to develop a safer, highly trained, skilled workforce for Kentucky’s future.”

Apprenticeship Ambassadors are approved for two years and commit to expanding, diversifying and modernizing Registered Apprenticeships to support the success of workers, employers and communities. As an ambassador, Ironworkers Local 70 will promote its program through meetings, outreach and recruitment activities. For more information about Ironworkers Local 70 Registered Apprenticeship Program, visit their website here.

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Registered Apprenticeship Program Information Registered Apprenticeship Programs are an industry-driven training model validated by DOL that allows employers to train workers to meet their unique needs. Using a talent development strategy, apprentices participate in structured on-the-job training and related technical instruction, receive mentorship from experienced workers, and attain a national industry-recognized portable credential. The White House, through DOL funding, is committed to expanding Registered Apprenticeship Programs in critical industry sectors like supply chain automation that have not traditionally used them to meet employer and sector needs.

Apprenticeship Ambassador Initiative The USDOL designed the Apprenticeship Ambassador initiative to create a national network of employers, labor organizations, industry associations, program sponsors, educators, workforce intermediaries, minority-serving organizations, community-based organizations and other stakeholders to serve as champions for expanding and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship Ambassadors partner with DOL to:

• Promote and expand awareness of the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship in the U.S. for industry, employers, career seekers, educators and communities as a whole.
• Identify and scale innovative practices and partnerships to modernize, strengthen and accelerate the adoption of Registered Apprenticeship.
• Increase access and support for underrepresented and underserved populations in Registered Apprenticeship including women, youth, people of color, rural communities, justice-involved individuals and people with disabilities.
• Communicate the business case for Registered Apprenticeship as a mainstream workforce strategy for high-demand industries and creating opportunities for good jobs for all Americans across the economy.