The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has recognized the Washington, DC Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC) for the opportunity it gives veterans, women, minorities, youth and dislocated workers to embark on a stable, high paying career in electrical construction.
The DOL’s Office of Apprenticeship recognized the JATC as a 21st Century Registered Apprenticeship Trailblazer and Innovator. It notes the JATC’s program demonstrates one example of the kinds of innovation and trailblazing efforts that have had a significant impact on the history of Registered Apprenticeship and has implications for Registered Apprenticeship in the 21st Century.
The JATC is sponsored by the Electrical Alliance, a cooperative effort between the Washington, D.C. Chapter of National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 26. It offers a three and five year tuition-free electrical apprenticeship program.
Through its Step Up program, it has given hundreds of the region’s residents who would not normal qualify for the apprenticeship program, the opportunity to achieve the requirements and transition to the apprenticeship program.
Director of the JATC, Dave McCord, and NECA Executive Director, Andrew Porter, will join Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis as to commemorate the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the National Apprenticeship Act on August 1, 2012 in Washington, DC.
“We’re honored to be recognized by the DOL for our efforts to help people develop their skills and work their way into a gratifying career,” said McCord.
More information about the apprenticeship program is available at www.washdcjatc.org.
