The WILL Empower Apprenticeship program is celebrating its fifth year of identifying, nurturing and launching the next generation of women labor staffers and leaders. WILL Empower is now recruiting its fifth class of apprentice and host sites. in preparation for its Fall 2022 class of apprentices.

Twenty-seven women have participated in the program as apprentices. The WILL Empower apprentices work in unions and other worker-centric organizations in a variety of capacities, including organizing, research, communications, politics, mobilization, and policy. See the full list of apprentices and their host sites here.

“With such a robust support system, I have the opportunity to learn, grow, sometimes stumble, but also pick myself back up, and all the while present myself naturally, as I am, fully, as a whole person,” said Taylor Davis who completed her apprenticeship with the National Black Worker Center and now works for that organization.

Sixteen organizations have served as host sites, in nine cities. Apprenticeship program graduates have gone on to work in a host of worker-based organizations across the country.

Apprentices benefit from a formal mentorship program, with mentors both within and outside of the host organization. Forty-seven individual women have served as mentors to a WILL Empower apprentice. See the full list of mentor organizational homes below.

“It has been a real joy being a mentor with WILL Empower,” said Kim Cook, an educator at Cornell’s Worker Institute and former SEIU Local 925 President. “I love working with young people who want to organize and be a part of the labor movement, and now my mentee is a very special friend who is taking up the mantle!”

“We’ve now hosted four WILL Empower apprentices, and we’ve had really positive experiences,” said MaryBe McMillan, president of the NC State AFL-CIO.  “The apprentices bring so much energy, excitement and fresh ideas to this work. By creating opportunities for young female leaders, we’re investing in the movement’s future.” 

Prospective apprentices can find out more about the program here and apply here. Movement organizations considering hosting an apprentice can find out more here and fill out an application here. All applications are due by May 1, 2022.

Where did Apprentices Go After the Program?

Apprenticeship Mentors Worked for Organizations Including: