Center for Employment Opportunities’ Apprenticeship Program Earns Critical Certification from U.S. Department of Labor
CEO Media Contact:
Matt Sutton | [email protected] | (202) 556-3291
Designation for Vocational Pathway Training Within Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) is Critical Milestone in Creating Economic & Social Mobility for Formerly Incarcerated People
November 16, 2023 – The Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO), the nation’s largest reentry employment organization, is thrilled to announce one of the apprenticeships within its Emerging Leaders Program (ELP) has earned a key approval from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in California.
The vocational pathway training within ELP provides an opportunity for trainees - all of whom are justice-impacted - to build foundational skills in human services and workforce development as paid apprentices at CEO. CEO has successfully operated this program for just over two years, with many graduates continuing in permanent positions at CEO and other leading nonprofit organizations.
CEO’s broader ELP program is designed to address the unique challenges faced by individuals with justice involvement, offering a structured and supportive environment to develop the skills and expertise necessary for successful, sustainable careers in the nonprofit sector. The 12-week apprenticeship uses CEO’s various teams and work streams as a learning environment to provide on-the-job learning and mentoring.The ELP boosts economic mobility for returning citizens by unlocking job opportunities in careers that are more oriented toward government and human services. It also serves as a primary pipeline for careers at CEO.
"At CEO we believe that justice-impacted people should have the opportunity to do meaningful work and access quality jobs, and our Emerging Leaders Program is one important way we provide the advanced training they need to reach that goal," said Christine Kidd, CEO’s Director of Constituent Advancement. "We are honored to have our program approved by the Department of Labor because this not only validates our work but also lays the groundwork for access and resources for our participants, strengthening their prospects for success."
This certification by the U.S. Department of Labor is a crucial milestone for ELP, signaling the potential for other apprenticeship tracks and training programs within CEO to earn similar certifications by DOL and state labor agencies, resulting in expanded access to resources for those returning home from incarceration.
This certification will allow CEO to begin registering apprentices in California and pursue recognition by the California Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
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About CEO
Center for Employment Opportunities (CEO) provides immediate, effective, and comprehensive employment services exclusively to people recently released from incarceration. CEO currently operates in 30 cities in 12 states and is dedicated to ensuring that justice-impacted people have opportunities and careers to achieve socioeconomic mobility. For more information, please visit: ceoworks.org.
