ROCKVILLE, MD— WorkSource Montgomery, Inc. (WSM) announced a new milestone for its Career Coach apprenticeship program. In addition to being registered through the United States Department of Labor, on Tuesday, July 9, the Maryland Training and Apprenticeship Council approved WSM’s request for registration of Standards of Apprenticeship for the Career Coaches supporting the Montgomery County Career Advising Program (MoCo CAP).
The competency-based program envisioned to last one year includes training through our MoCo CAP partners — Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS), Montgomery College (MC), Educators’ Cooperative, and the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). The program is the first of its kind in the state and one of the first in the nation.
“We’re extremely excited about our newly registered Career Coach Apprenticeship Program and appreciative of all our partners who contributed toward approval of the program,” said Anthony Featherstone, Executive Director of WorkSource Montgomery and the Montgomery County Workforce Development Board. “Not only will the program provide entry and advancement opportunities for Career Coaches, but it will help ensure MoCo CAP is adequately equipped to provide the highest quality of career coaching services to our MCPS students.”
WSM’s team of around 50 MoCo CAP Career Coaches are placed in every MCPS middle, high, and special school throughout the county to help students learn to advocate for themselves and navigate various career pathways. The program will ultimately serve almost 90,000 MCPS students in grades 6 through 12 on an annual basis.
The creative new apprenticeship program model addresses the unique professional development required for the Career Coaches. By combining online learning with on-the-job training, they are better prepared to deliver services that align perfectly with MoCo CAP’s specific needs guiding Montgomery County’s youth toward stable and successful careers.
“The approval of the Career Coach Apprenticeship Program is a significant milestone toward Montgomery County’s preparation and implementation of the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future’s 10-year long legislation,” said Member of the Montgomery County Workforce Development Board, Grant Shmelzer, who also serves on the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council. “It also demonstrates WorkSource Montgomery’s commitment to the training and deployment of workforce professionals who will assist MCPS students in obtaining industry recognized credentials and post-high school careers. As a long-term member of the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council and a board member of WorkSource Montgomery, I have a unique perspective in understanding the resources that will be needed to ensure success of both the apprenticeship program and Blueprint goals.”
WSM also registered Standards of Apprenticeship with the US Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship. When MoCo CAP Career Coaches complete the program, they will receive a certification from MC and a Certificate of Journey-level status from the US Department of Labor, a recognized, portable national credential.
“We’re excited to add this important occupation to our menu of registered apprenticeships in the state,” said Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu. “We know this earn and learn approach not only helps build individual careers, but having on in career coaching will have a multiplier effect for our economy.”
WSM’s documented history supporting Registered Apprenticeship programs includes the designation of Apprenticeship Ambassador by the US Department of Labor as part of a larger initiative with a goal of helping to create a network of employers, labor organizations, industry associations, sponsors, educators, workforce intermediaries, minority-serving organizations, and other stakeholders to serve as champions for their industry or area of expertise.
About MoCo CAP
MoCo CAP, short for Montgomery County Career Advising Program, is a collaborative effort headed by WorkSource Montgomery, along with partners Montgomery County Public Schools, Montgomery College, and the Universities at Shady Grove. The goal is to address one of the requirements related to the College and Career Readiness pillar laid out by the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, a $3.8 billion overhaul of the state’s public education system. For more information about MoCo CAP, visit mococap.com.
About WorkSource Montgomery (WSM)
WSM is the fiduciary agent for Workforce Innovation Opportunity Act (WIOA) funding in Montgomery County. The organization operates the American Job Centers in Wheaton and Germantown and provides employment services to Montgomery County residents who are unemployed or underemployed. WSM engages employers in various industries throughout the county to ensure that their workforce needs are being met. For more information about WorkSource Montgomery, visit our website at worksourcemontgomery.com.