Superstars of Compliance: Let’s Talk About the New Apprenticeship Policy

iliana44
Jul 8
2 min read

🗓 Live LinkedIn Event: Wednesday at 10 AM CST 🎙 Hosted by: Iliana Sutton, Honored White House Apprenticeship Employer Ambassador & Founder of Aha! Workforce Education Solutions — 🗓 **Live LinkedIn Event: Wednesday at 10 AM CST** 🎙 Hosted by: Iliana Sutton, Honored White House Apprenticeship Employer Ambassador & Founder of Aha! Workforce Education Solutions

We’ve always been the ones doing the work—long before policies caught up. On July 2, 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor released the biggest update to Registered Apprenticeship discrimination policy since 1978. And guess what? It reflects exactly what we’ve been about this whole time: equity, language access, disability inclusion, and grit.

This week, I’m hosting a live LinkedIn talk to break it all down in a way everyone can understand. Because it’s time to celebrate how far we’ve come—and how we’ve led the way by doing it right.

🔍 Key Points We’ll Cover (No Legalese Required)

✅ 1. Expanded Protected Classes

It’s not just about race or gender anymore. The policy now protects:

Gender identity
Sexual orientation
Pregnancy
Limited English Proficiency (LEP)
Political beliefs
Disability
Parental/caregiver status
Recovery status
And more...

🌍 2. Language Access is Law (Finally!)

All program materials must be accessible in a language the apprentice understands. This includes translated materials and oral support when needed. (Hello, Title VI and Executive Order 13166!)

♿ 3. Disability Inclusion

Programs must:

Provide reasonable accommodations
Make systems and applications accessible
Avoid screening out qualified individuals with disabilities

📢 4. Inclusive Outreach is a Must

No more relying on who-you-know referrals. Sponsors must actively recruit:

Women
Veterans
LEP individuals
People with disabilities

🔍 5. Transparency & Anti-Retaliation

Apprentices must:

Know their rights
Be able to report violations in their language
Be protected from retaliation

📂 6. Equity Data & Recordkeeping

Programs must track:

Who applies, gets in, and completes
Outcome data by demographic
Evidence of fair access AND fair results

👥 7. Intermediaries Are Not Off the Hook

Sponsors are now responsible for ensuring all their partners follow the same rules. No more buck-passing.

🚀 Why This Matters (Especially for Us)

We’ve been the ones creating pipelines for real people in real communities. According to DOL, over 600,000 apprentices are registered today—but too many still face barriers. Meanwhile, over 68 million people in the U.S. speak a language other than English at home. This rule is a win for all of us who’ve been building access with heart, not just compliance.

☕ Join Me Wednesday

Bring your questions, bring your voice—and yes, bring your Folgers. Because I’ll be sipping mine while we talk equity, compliance, and why we’re the superstars creating the next generation of workforce with integrity.

Wednesday | 10:00 AM Central | LinkedIn Live

We’re not just following the rule. We’ve been the blueprint.

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