Welcome to another edition of Workforce Weekly - where we share a variety of content that reflects what’s on our minds and what we believe will be valuable to you.

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And here’s this week at a glance:
🔥 Hot off the press: U.S. DOL new round of funding
📊 In the data: “Culture of Cultures”
📈 Trend: Skill-based organizations
🌐 Bits from the web: AI in registered apprenticeships
💭 Quote: Quality Management is Everything

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🔥 HOT OFF THE PRESS

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Future Funding Opportunities Revealed

The goal is to further expand and strengthen Registered Apprenticeship programs, particularly through public-private partnerships across various industries. 

The ABA2 grant covers three main categories: ensuring equitable access to apprenticeships, creating education-aligned pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships, and establishing Registered Apprenticeship Hubs.

This initiative aligns with efforts to modernize the National Apprenticeship System.

Those interested in applying or learning more about this opportunity can stay updated through Grants.gov subscription updates and the organization’s official channels.

📊 IN THE DATA

Here’s a cool insight for apprentice

Do apprentices achieve faster growth earnings than comparable workers?

Apprentices, including men, women, white, black and hispanic individuals, start with lower earnings but experience faster growth, surpassing comparable workers’ earnings. 

Notably, women, Black, and Hispanic apprentices show accelerated earnings growth, potentially aiding in closing the pay gap. 

The study also highlights that AAI apprentices across various occupations, particularly in IT and healthcare, experience rapid earnings growth. 

It presents compelling evidence that apprenticeship program completers earn substantially more over their lifetime than workers in the comparison group, providing valuable insights into earnings trends and opportunities for apprentices.

What enables a “Culture of Cultures”?

Instead of just having one culture that everyone follows, organizations should let each team have its own special culture that fits them best. However, these cultures should still align with organizational-wide values.

Answer me this: How can organizations thrive in a boundaryless world? 

By prioritizing human performance!

Shifting from measuring employee productivity to measuring human performance. Replenishing imagination through scaling human capabilities like curiosity and empathy. Creating value for all people connected to the organization to achieve true sustainability.

🌐 BITS FROM THE WEB

The Skills-Based Organization: A Modern Blueprint for Work and the Workforce

In recent times, the traditional link between work and specific job titles has come under scrutiny by many organizations.

Recognizing that this approach can stifle growth and innovation, companies are moving towards a skill-based framework. This shift acknowledges both technical abilities and human qualities, such as critical thinking and emotional intelligence.

Powering AI in Registered Apprenticeships

While AI can make jobs more efficient and spark innovations, it may also automate some jobs and worsen inequality. To navigate this shift, businesses need effective strategies to train employees to use new technology, while workers should gain skills that complement AI.

There's an urgent need for innovative skilling initiatives, including expanding the apprenticeship model, to bridge the gap between current workforce requirements and a future sustainable economy while addressing racial inequities and adapting to the evolving workforce landscape.

Completion Rates in the U.S. Drop Below 35%

While apprenticeships offer promising pathways to skilled employment through paid work experience and classroom learning, the reality is daunting. Apprentice retention suffers due to inadequate support, subpar instructional delivery, and challenging occupational cultures.

💬 QUOTE

😂 MEME OF THE WEEK

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