For over a decade, National Apprenticeship Week has been celebrated in November. But not anymore! In recognition of the explosive growth and renewed energy around Registered Apprenticeship Programs across a wide range of industries, the U.S. Department of Labor has officially moved National Apprenticeship Day to April 30th.
And the timing couldn’t be better — especially for New York’s dairy farms. Spring is when everything comes to life on the farm, and now it’s also a time to celebrate how we can grow people through innovative, hands-on workforce training.
The Dairy Specialist Apprenticeship: Growing Talent from the Ground Up
In the dairy industry, we know the future of our businesses depends on the skills, dedication, and leadership of the people working on our farms. That’s why the Dairy Specialist Apprenticeship was developed — a modern, flexible training model designed to help your emerging managers learn while they earn.
This isn’t just training — it’s a pipeline for building a skilled workforce ready to lead tomorrow’s operations using structured:
- Hands-on, on-the-job training
- Industry-specific technical instruction
Whether you’re an employer looking to develop your team or an employee ready to take the next step in your agricultural career, this program is your pathway to long-term success.
Pre-Apprenticeships: A Smart First Step
Before jumping into the full three-year apprenticeship, regional pre-apprenticeship programs give interested employees a chance to experience what it’s all about. These hands-on, group sessions have proven to be a powerful way to engage potential apprentices and set them on the pathway to success.
Ready to grow your team or your career?
The Dairy Specialist Apprenticeship offers a smart, scalable way to retain talent, boost productivity, and create career opportunities for the people who keep our farms thriving. Reach out to Jay Canzonier to learn how you can grow your team today!
Let’s build the future of dairy farming in New York — together.
By Jay Canzonier, Cornell University. Permission granted to repost, quote, and reprint with author attribution.
The post Big News: National Apprenticeship Day Has Moved — And It’s Today! appeared in The Ag Workforce Journal.
