The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute (WAI) has received a contract from the U.S. Department of Labor to expand apprenticeship programs in two sectors - manufacturing and hospitality. These initiatives are national in scope and build upon relationships that have been established through sector partnerships and joint labor-management collaborations.

As a national workforce intermediary founded by the AFL-CIO in 1969 (as the Human Resources Development Institute) the WAI has been a longstanding partner with US DOL in assisting unions, employers, joint skill training partnerships, the public workforce system and community organizations to provide employment and training related services that help to create, expand and retain high quality jobs. The WAI has been recognized by US DOL as an Apprentice LEADER.

In implementing apprenticeships in hospitality the WAI will work with the Boston Education Skills and Training Corporation (BEST) and the Los Angeles Hotel Training Academy (HTA). The Pennsylvania Keystone Development Partnership (KDP) will implement apprenticeship expansion in manufacturing working with affiliates of the AFL-CIO Industrial Union Council. These unions and their employers will ensure that apprenticeship will meet industry needs for skilled workers and provide solid career pathways and good jobs.

Teams of industry and labor professionals from BEST, HTA and KDP will provide technical assistance and support to employers and unions to ensure the DOL goals to expand apprenticeship are met including:  450 registered apprentices, 2 new nationally recognized apprenticeship programs, adoption of 10 local apprenticeship programs by employers and assistance in attaining greater diversity in apprenticeship. These initiatives will also provide college credit opportunities as well industry recognized credentials to apprentices.