The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.
New York—The Manufacturing Jeweler & Suppliers of America (MJSA) Education Foundation’s MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program for bench jewelers has become the industry’s first nationally recognized Registered Apprenticeship Program by the United States Department of Labor (DOL).
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 and potential tax credits.
Each state has its own protocols and now, with the guidance of the DOL, the process will be more manageable, eliminating additional barriers to starting an apprenticeship.
“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,” said Joseph Esposito, chair of the MJSA Education Foundation.
“Not only does the program provide guidance and support for training aspiring jewelers, but it also offers a true career path for young workers. It’s a powerful draw that’s now enhanced by becoming a registered program.”
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program launched in 2023 with assistance from a JCK Industry Fund Grant and was first approved by the DOL as National Guidelines Standard in February 2024.
It is overseen by the MJSA Education Foundation, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit arm of MJSA that supports career and training initiatives in professional jewelry making and design.
The program centers on a free 50-week curriculum, available as a PDF, that mentors can use to train bench jewelers, which the organization notes as one of the positions most in demand by manufacturers and retailers.
As a Registered Apprenticeship Program, it also provides access to more than 200 online technical videos and resources that MJSA and Jewelers of America members can access free of charge.
Jewelry designer and instructor Nanz Aalund, who wrote “A Jeweler’s Guide to Apprenticeships,” developed the program’s curriculum and curated the resources.
Those who successfully complete the program will receive MJSA’s nationally recognized certification as an Advanced Jewelry Apprentice.
“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,” said Lee Krombholz, vice chair of the MJSA Education Foundation.
“Apprenticeship programs were once a crucial conduit for new talent. The MJSA program helps to keep the pipeline of knowledge flowing.”
To learn more about the MJSA Mentorship & Apprenticeship Program, visit this page on the MJSA website or contact MJSA Education Foundation Executive Director Rich Youmans by phone at 800-223-0673, ext. 8073, or by email at rich.youmans@mjsa.org.