Nevada Receives $1.54 Million Federal Grant to Expand Apprenticeship Opportunities Through FORGE Nevada Initiative

The Nevada Office of the Labor Commissioner (OLC) has received $1,536,681.76 from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) through the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Grant to expand registered apprenticeship opportunities and create new pathways to careers in some of Nevada’s highest-demand industries.

The funding will allow the OLC’s Nevada State Apprenticeship Council, in collaboration with the state’s Northern Nevada workforce development board Nevadaworks, to support the launch and implementation of FORGE Nevada — Future Opportunities through Registered Apprenticeships, Growth and Education.

The initiative is designed to expand access to apprenticeship opportunities beyond traditional occupations and industries while helping Nevada employers develop a skilled workforce to meet current and future demand.

“Registered apprenticeships provide Nevadans with a proven pathway to a rewarding career while allowing employers to develop the skilled workforce they need,” said State Apprenticeship Director Toni Giddens. “FORGE Nevada takes that model a step further by bringing together state government, workforce development partners and industry to create apprenticeship opportunities in fields where Nevada’s economy is growing. This innovative approach will help more Nevadans earn while they learn and build careers in high-demand industries.”

Expanding Apprenticeships Beyond Traditional Occupations

FORGE Nevada will focus on non-traditional occupations within Nevada’s high-demand industries, including:

• Advanced Manufacturing
• Domestic Mineral Production
• Education
• Hospitality
• Information Technology (IT)

The initiative’s goals include:

• Increasing the total number of registered apprentices in Nevada by 225;
• Supporting a total of 300 pre-apprentices and apprentices;
• Developing three pre-apprenticeship programs; and
• Developing three new Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs).

The programs will be designed to create accessible pathways for Nevadans to obtain industry-recognized skills and credentials while gaining valuable work experience.

A New Model for Apprenticeship Sponsorship

Traditionally, Registered Apprenticeship Programs are sponsored directly by employers. FORGE Nevada will utilize an intermediary entity as the apprenticeship sponsor, creating a model that can help organizations and industries establish apprenticeship programs without requiring each participating employer to serve as the program sponsor.

According to the project partners, this intermediary-sponsored approach represents the first program of its kind in the state, providing Nevada with an opportunity to demonstrate a new model for expanding registered apprenticeship into industries and occupations that have historically had limited participation in apprenticeship.

The intermediary model is intended to make it easier for employers, particularly those that may not have the administrative capacity or resources to sponsor an apprenticeship program independently, to participate in the Registered Apprenticeship system.

“FORGE Nevada gives us the opportunity to build on apprenticeship infrastructure that is already producing results,” said Milt Stewart, CEO of Nevadaworks. “Nevadaworks will help employers develop and administer apprenticeship programs, connect people to those opportunities, and provide the navigation and support that help apprentices succeed. The goal is to make apprenticeship easier for employers to use and more accessible to Nevadans.”

The Office of the Labor Commissioner and its apprenticeship partners will work with employers, workforce development organizations, educational institutions and industry stakeholders to identify opportunities for new pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

Additional information about Nevada’s Registered Apprenticeship system and current apprenticeship opportunities can be found at https://labor.nv.gov/Wages/Nevada_State_Apprenticeship_Council.

About the Office of the Labor Commissioner

The Office of the Labor Commissioner, a division of the Department of Business and Industry, is the principal wage and hour and labor regulatory agency for the State of Nevada. It is the mission of this office to resolve labor-related problems in an efficient, professional, and effective manner. This includes educating employers and employees regarding their rights and responsibilities under the law, to promote the growth of business in Nevada. Additionally, it includes taking enforcement action when necessary, to ensure that Nevada’s workers are treated fairly and compensated for all time worked.

About Nevadaworks

Nevadaworks is Northern Nevada’s workforce development board, bringing together employers, job seekers, education and training providers, and community partners to strengthen the region’s workforce. Through a longstanding partnership, Nevadaworks and the Nevada Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation provide workforce and employment services at EmployNV Hubs across Northern Nevada. These services help individuals build skills and access quality careers, while helping businesses recruit, develop and retain talent. Learn more at www.nevadaworks.com.

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