Learn more about JFF
Learn more about JFF

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Take the Pledge to Show Your Support to Increase Access to Apprenticeship Opportunities for Underrepresented Populations

 

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By taking this pledge, your business is joining a community of local, state, and national employers and labor partners that believe in removing barriers to increase access and opportunity to underrepresented populations in high-quality Registered Apprenticeships. You will gain access to support, promising practices, and tools to assist you in upholding your pledge. To encourage other employers and stakeholders to participate, you may be contacted by JFF to share promising practices in reducing barriers and adopting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) policies that contribute to the advancement of apprenticeships for all Americans.

Download the Pledge OverviewFrequently Asked Questions

 

I, the undersigned, do pledge on behalf of COMPANY to support a set of principles and practices to ensure that all Americans have the access and opportunity to succeed in the workplace through the proven pathway of Registered Apprenticeships. I pledge to work towards removing barriers that may prevent qualified women, people of color, people with disabilities, workers who live in rural communities, people who identify as LGBTQ+, and individuals who have had contact with the criminal justice system from gaining access to high-quality apprenticeships, training, education, and good jobs and wages.

To fulfill the pledge, your company can take the below actions to achieve the goals of promoting opportunity for all, eliminating barriers to entry into apprenticeship, and providing meaningful opportunities to succeed for people underrepresented in apprenticeship:

  • Revise Recruitment and Talent Attraction Strategies
    • Conduct purposeful and intentional outreach to underrepresented groups in apprenticeship, such as to local workforce boards, community colleges, community-based organizations (CBOs), and minority-serving colleges and universities

  • Promote Fair and Equitable Hiring Practices
    • Engage human resources staff and hiring managers on implementing contemporary DEIA practices and make fair decisions regarding applicants without regard to gender, race, ethnicity, ability, sexual orientation, or background
    • Review and revise human resources policies and practices to remove barriers for apprentices
    • Reach out to local workforce agencies, community-based organizations, colleges, and others in your community to attract and recruit a wider range of talent
    • Lead, join, or host apprenticeship opportunity events within your company or community
    • Share promising practices and success stories with other employers
  • Take Action in Your Local Community
    • Start a Registered Apprenticeship program reflecting the demographics of your community
    • Provide apprentices, especially those from traditionally underrepresented groups, with access to continued learning, development, and advancement opportunities that support career development and provide for more equitable outcomes for all
    • Conduct outreach to and support apprenticeships within local K-12 school districts, community-based organizations, community colleges, workforce boards, minority-serving institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities
  • Set an Example for Other Businesses
    • Promote your commitment to the pledge
    • Share and disseminate successes and lessons learned with JFF and DOL to encourage other employers and stakeholders to reduce barriers that contribute to the advancement of apprenticeships for all Americans
 

Frequently Asked Questions

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About JFF

JFF is a national nonprofit that drives transformation in the American workforce and education systems. For nearly 40 years, JFF has led the way in designing innovative and scalable solutions that create access to economic advancement for all. www.jff.org

About JFF’s Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning

In 2017, JFF launched the Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning (the Center) to spur mainstream adoption of equitable, innovative, and high-quality apprenticeship and work-based learning programs. The Center works to expand apprenticeship and work-based learning programs into new industries and fosters access and success for a broader, more diverse group of workers. We are a trusted advisor to organizations looking to make a meaningful and lasting positive impact in the communities where they live and work.

This workforce product was funded by a grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA). The product was created by the recipient and does not necessarily reflect the official position of DOL/ETA. DOL/ETA makes no guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, with respect to such information, including any information on linked sites and including, but not limited to, accuracy of the information or its completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership. This product is copyrighted by the institution that created it.