[Online] - Webinar: Youth Apprenticeship in the Skilled Trades: Challenges & Opportunities for the Field

The skilled trades have a rich history of apprenticeship in the US, but have not been a significant part of the expansion of apprenticeship opportunities for youth to date. To better understand the challenges and opportunities for developing youth apprenticeship and other high-quality work-based learning experiences in the skilled trades, PAYA recently completed a series of focus groups with educators, intermediaries, employers, and labor organizers. This webinar will showcase the project’s findings and engage leaders from across the skilled trades work-based learning ecosystem to highlight promising program models, discuss shared challenges, and consider future opportunities for the field.

PAYA recently completed a series of focus groups with educators, intermediaries, employers, and labor organizers to identify challenges and opportunities for developing youth apprenticeship and other high-quality work-based learning experiences in the skilled trades. This webinar will showcase the project’s findings and engage leaders from across the work-based learning ecosystem to highlight promising program models. Click here to register.

Agenda

Welcome & Introductions

Mike Prebil, Analyst, Center for Education & Labor (CELNA), New America

Presentation of Research

Mike Prebil, Analyst, CELNA, New America

Taylor White, National Director, PAYA, New America

Panel Reactions & Discussion

Panelists:

Zach Fields, Vice President, Construction Education Foundation of Georgia

Becky Brink Ray, Director, Career Training & Education, Goodwill Easter Seals MN

Becky Brink Ray is the Director of Goodwill Easter Seals MN Career Training & Education programs. In this role, she is responsible for the management, strategic direction, and funding strategy for multiple industry-led training programs including automotive, construction, business, and Information technology. Ms. Brink Ray has extensive experience in workforce development working with community and government agencies, school systems, industry associations and business. She holds a Bachelor in Counseling and Master of Business Management degrees.

Emiliano Sanchez, Coordinator of CTE Skilled Trades and Apprenticeships, Oakland Unified School District

Emiliano Sanchez is the Coordinator of CTE Skilled Trades and Apprenticeships with Oakland Unified School District. He has served students of Oakland Unified School District for 30 years, as an educator (math teacher), school administrator, and district administrator. Emiliano came to education from a prior career in sheet-metal manufacturing. As an advocate for education in the Career Technical Education skilled trades, Emiliano supports hands-on learning at 14 high schools and over 3,500 District high school students, He continues work on development of CTE Skilled Trades pathways, partnership with Community College CTE Programs and Pre-Apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Training Centers

Stephen Tucker, President & CEO, Northland Workforce Training Center

Stephen Tucker is the inaugural President & CEO of Northland Workforce Training Center (NWTC), the signature workforce strategy under Governor Andrew Cuomo’s Buffalo Billion initiative. In this role, Mr, Tucker is responsible for the management, oversight, and day to day operations of the new 90,000 square foot state of the art facility focused on training and preparing Western New Yorkers for careers in advanced manufacturing and clean energy.

His educational achievements include an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Wilberforce University. Mr. Tucker is a Murano Fellow as a graduate of Aspen Institutes’ Sector Skills Academy and a 2018 graduate of Leadership Buffalo.

Mr. Tucker was appointed to the Western New York Regional Economic Development Council in 2018 and received the Arthur O. Eve Award for Economic Opportunity presented by the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators in 2020. Mr. Tucker is currently a Commissioner for the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority and Board Member on the Buffalo Niagara Partnership, Buffalo Urban League, Leadership Buffalo, Independent Health Foundation and Insyte Consulting.

Moderator: Taylor White, National Director, PAYA, New America