Report: Apprenticeship programs need to improve for Black workers

By Mike Moen

Labor leaders and various industries recently celebrated the 85th anniversary of a federal law that laid the groundwork for registered apprenticeship programs in the United States, including Minnesota. Apprenticeships are positions where workers can earn while they learn—meaning they can master specific skills while on the job.

But policy experts say meaningful opportunities are still hard to come by for Black workers. The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies has issued a new report that says structural barriers still limit success for Black workers through these programs.

Volleyball

Continued from page 14 under the mandatory demand of her coach.

“If you did not go to camp then there was no need for you to try out the rest of your time in high school,” RileyBozier said.

Preston explained RileyBozier was tough but with love. Riley-Bozier’s love for Morgan State goes beyond sets, digs and nets; she was also a part of the 1986 track and field team as a Lady Bear and went on to be the first leg of the record-breaking 4x100-meter team who still hold the record of 44.47 seconds. Being on many collegiate teams also taught Riley-Bozier the importance of developing a skill set beyond the hardwood or net.

“I was not just concerned with making athletes better volleyball players,” RileyBozier said. “My biggest thing was I wanted to help them become strong women which is something I do not think I got in high school, someone who was really concerned with my well-being off the court. This even became more of my focus than teaching them how to pass the ball. I felt like this would help them believe in me, feel

The Center’s senior analyst for workforce policy, Justin Nalley, said it starts with enrollment. “Black apprentices only make up 9% of registered apprenticeship programs,” said Nalley, “but we make up 12% of the workforce.”

There are also gaps for Black workers in completing these programs, and the ones that do are often excluded from higher-wage jobs. Nalley said data collection is an issue, with many programs not including race in their reporting.

Available data for Minnesota show that in 2021, people of color made up nearly 20% of apprentices, but the information wasn’t broken down for specific racial groups.

In seeking program equity, Nalley said administrators should weave in support for “wrap around” services and scheduling flexibility—noting these are common barriers for Black workers wanting to advance their career through an apprenticeship.

“Can we make it to the apprenticeship program?—Trans- portation,” said Nalley. “Do we have somebody to be able to watch [our] kids? — Child care. Are we able to provide lunch for that day?— Food services. Are we able to afford the equipment and materials that it takes?”

Last year, the U.S. Department of Labor issued grants aimed at modernizing ap- prenticeships and boosting representation of workers of color in registered programs. Currently, roughly 600,000 apprentices are enrolled in programs across the country. that I care about them and work hard for me.”

Mike Moen writes for the Minnesota News Connection. Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.

This love and care have transcended into a lifetime of producing players that would turn into coaches who coached their teams the same way.

“The longer I coach, the more I become more and more like her (Riley-Bozier),”

Preston said. “One of the main things I took from her that I implement with my team is the overall focus on academics. You are here because you are a student first and athlete second.”

While Riley-Bozier roamed around Morgan State’s homecoming, a player who she had not seen in over a decade ran up to her with her arms open. As the two embraced, the former player burst into tears. The player expressed to her how the majority of the lessons Riley-Bozier tried to teach came full circle once she became a parent to children who play sports. As another one of her players, Preston was also able to use some of Riley Bozier’s wisdom to navigate her head coaching role.

Another ingredient to Riley-Bozier’s Hall of Fame recipe is the importance of knowing the true definition of team. She constantly asked each player to put their individual accolades aside and to show for the greater good.

“I would sit a starter if she was having issues with another player on the team and you could begin to see that on the court,” Riley-Bozier said. “The starter needs to make those adjustments. If they did not make those adjustments, then they were just going to sit until we figured it out.”

This willingness to force players to put the team first and Riley-Bozier’s own dedication to team greatness is what has positioned her perfectly into her induction. Even with all the accolades to prove it, the call to deliver the Hall of Fame news still took the decorated coach by surprise.

Although Riley-Bozier’s days of coaching have come to an end, due to her nature to go over the moon for Morgan State, a position was created to keep her around. Riley-Bozier is now the Assistant Director for Intramurals and Wellness.

“I do not really like to use the word ‘retired,’” RileyBozier said. “It is not a word that I have ever said. I am no longer just coaching volleyball at Morgan State. Because I have always run a clean program, I have always shown Morgan as first.”

This article is republished courtesy of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference.

April Sister Spokesman focused on caregivers