The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program, which provides jewelers with the tools needed to recruit and train qualified workers, has been approved by the U.S. Department of Labor as the industry’s first nationally recognized Registered Apprenticeship Program. The designation enables participants to receive expert help with registering an apprenticeship program in their states, as well as with navigating the path toward available state funding (including potential tax credits).
Launched in 2023 with the help of a JCK Industry Fund Grant, the program is overseen by the MJSA Education Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit supporting career and training initiatives in professional jewelry making and design.
At its core is a free 50-week curriculum that mentors can use to train bench jewelers, currently one of the positions most in demand by manufacturers and retailers alike. The program also provides access to more than 200 online technical videos and resources that MJSA and JA members can access free of charge.
All resources were curated by Nanz Aalund, author of the MJSA Press book A Jeweler’s Guide to Apprenticeships, who also developed the curriculum. The successful completion of the program leads to the nationally recognized Advanced Jewelry Apprentice certification.
“One of the industry’s greatest needs is attracting the next generation of jewelry professionals, and the MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program has become a key tool in achieving that,” says the Foundation’s chair, Joseph Esposito. “Not only does the program provide guidance and support for training aspiring jewelers, but it also offers a true career path for younger workers. It’s a powerful draw that’s now enhanced by becoming a registered program.”
“The Department of Labor designation expands the opportunity for more jewelers to bring on apprentices, and it also helps to prevent the loss of expertise as current workers retire,” adds Lee Krombholz, vice chair of the Foundation. “Apprenticeship programs were once a crucial conduit for new talent. The MJSA program helps to keep that pipeline of knowledge flowing.”
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