NABTU, TVA, and Tennessee Department of Labor Launch "Forever Family" Apprenticeship Partnership

Strategic Insights -

In a groundbreaking collaboration, the North America's Building Trades Unions (NABTU), the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development have announced the Forever Family Apprentice Partnership, a workforce development initiative designed to provide former foster youth with direct access to union apprenticeship opportunities, career pathways, and essential support to thrive in the unionized construction and energy industries.

The partnership aims to remove barriers for former foster youth by creating a pipeline into NABTU's high-quality, debt-free apprenticeship programs. Participants will receive guaranteed interviews for local union apprenticeship programs, on-the-job experience with TVA partner contractors, and wraparound support through the Tennessee Department of Labor and NABTU's Registered Apprenticeship programs.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Forever Family Apprentice Partnership is a collaborative initiative between NABTU, TVA, and the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to provide former foster youth with access to union apprenticeship opportunities and career pathways.
  • The partnership aims to remove barriers for former foster youth by creating a pipeline into NABTU's high-quality, debt-free apprenticeship programs.
  • Participants will receive guaranteed interviews for local union apprenticeship programs, on-the-job experience with TVA partner contractors, and wraparound support through the Tennessee Department of Labor and NABTU's Registered Apprenticeship programs.
  • NABTU's Registered Apprenticeship programs are regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor and recognized State Apprenticeship Agencies, providing rigorous classroom instruction and paid, hands-on experience.
  • Graduates of NABTU's Registered Apprenticeship programs become the most sought-after experts in their field, earning top industry credentials, competitive wages, and a fulfilling, secure, lifelong career path in the skilled trades.
  • Sean McGarvey, President of NABTU, stated that "Building Trades Registered Apprenticeship is a pathway to the middle class. With this initiative, we're giving young people from the foster system not just an opportunity to work, but an opportunity to belong--to be part of a Forever Family that supports them with the best trade skills and a family-sustaining career."
  • Don Moul, President and CEO of TVA, emphasized the importance of the initiative, saying "As TVA seeks a deep, skilled, committed workforce that is eager to learn and build rewarding careers, the Forever Family initiative will allow these young adults to enroll in trade schools and trade programs that open up careers for them in the utility industry--growing the number of new people with skills critical to building both TVA and our national infrastructure."

Statistics:

  • Over 3 million skilled craft professionals in the United States and Canada are represented by NABTU's 14 national and international unions.
  • NABTU's unions and signatory contractor partners invest almost $2 billion in private-sector money to fund and operate over 1,900 apprenticeship training and education facilities across North America.
  • TVA provides energy to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states.

Sources:

  • NABTU: North America's Building Trades Unions is an alliance of 14 national and international unions in the building and construction industry.
  • TVA: The Tennessee Valley Authority is the nation's largest public power supplier, delivering energy to more than 10 million people across seven southeastern states.