Training Academy Recognized by Department of Labor

The Prince George's County Fire/Emergency Medical Services Department’s Training Academy Apprenticeship program was recently recognized as one of the “Innovator and Trailblazers” by the Department of Labor. The Fire/Emergency Medical Services Training Academy (FETA) has revamped their apprenticeship program.  The program is now designed to have the individual participant signed off on every firefighting and EMS task after they show proficiency in the task. In the previous program many tasks were signed off after they were demonstrated in recruit school. This revamped program should allow departmental personnel to have a stronger career foundation and increased individual capabilities. Assistant Chief Howard Leonhard, Mr. Craig Smith and Assistant Chief Kenneth Fusco work collaboratively to redesign the program and received approval to move forward from the State of Maryland in September 2011.  The Prince George's County FETA Apprenticeship program was nominated by the Maryland Apprenticeship and Training Council.  The Departments recognition by the Department of Labor was the only Fire Department recognized at the event.

Secretary Hilda Solis presents recognition certificate to Assistant Fire Chief Kenneth Fusco.

The following is from the Department of Labor blog.

Recognizing Trailblazers and Innovators of Registered Apprenticeship


by SECRETARY HILDA SOLIS on JULY 31, 2012 · 

I believe deeply in Registered Apprenticeship programs because I’ve seen how they can change lives. Since my very first day as Secretary of Labor, I’ve called apprenticeship one of America’s best-kept secrets. It’s been 75 years since the National Apprenticeship Act was signed, and in that time, apprenticeships have come a long way to advance the quality and breadth of training available to America’s workers. We have reinvented apprenticeships in ways never imagined back then.

Tomorrow, the Labor Department will celebrate the 75th Anniversary of the signing of the National Apprenticeship Act by hosting a “National Education and Action Summit.” This summit will bring together leaders in the apprenticeship community to look ahead at the exciting and extraordinary future of apprenticeship.

As part of this celebration, the Department will recognize trailblazers and innovators from throughout the Registered Apprenticeship system for their long-standing success and innovative approaches to training U.S. workers. Today, I was greatly honored to invite these leaders to the Department of Labor for a rooftop gathering and thank them for their continued focus on innovative training programs.

The programs selected for recognition come from a wide range of industries and geographic locations. Yet, they all share a unique understanding of how a combination of mentor-based, on-the-job training and classroom instruction can provide a worker with the skills needed to not only do a job, but become a respected journey worker throughout his or her career.

Thanks to their efforts, yesterday’s bricklayers are becoming today’s building retrofitters. They are training computer programmers, pharmacy techs, and even young doctors at the Center for Disease Control to improve patient care. They are fostering partnerships with employers, community colleges and state workforce agencies to maximize that growth and expand our reach.

The U.S. Department of Labor is excited to highlight these programs and encourage efforts to make Registered Apprenticeship bigger, better and strong.









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