Connecting Talent to Opportunity: A Recap of the Apprentice Link Virtual Career Fair 2025

by | May 15, 2025 | Apprenticeship | 0 comments

Empowering Job Seekers and Employers Through the U.S. Department of Labor’s ERAP Program

This April, as part of our national commitment to workforce equity and access, net.America Corporation hosted the Apprentice Link Virtual Career Fair 2025—a first-of-its-kind event focused on bringing healthcare job seekers, employers, and apprenticeship programs together in one interactive digital space. Powered by the Employment and Recovery Assistance Program (ERAP) from the U.S. Department of Labor, this event demonstrated the power of technology, partnership, and strategy in transforming access to career opportunities.

Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Employment and Recovery Assistance Program (ERAP) supports innovative, equity-focused demonstration projects designed to help underserved and underrepresented populations access career training, apprenticeship, and employment pathways—especially in high-demand sectors like healthcare, technology, and clean energy.

The Apprentice Link Virtual Career Fair is one of ERAP’s cornerstone initiatives, serving as a scalable model for virtual engagement that bridges the gap between job readiness and direct employment.

Breaking Barriers Through Digital Innovation

Held on April 30, 2025, the virtual fair connected employers, training providers, intermediaries, and job seekers across the healthcare sector. Participants accessed virtual booths, joined live breakout sessions, and engaged in real-time networking—all through the RingCentral platform.

Fast Facts:

  • The U.S. healthcare industry is projected to add 2 million jobs between 2022 and 2032, more than any other sector. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2024)
  • Healthcare support roles (like CNAs, medical assistants, billing specialists) are expected to grow by 15% in the next 8 years—well above the national average.
  • The average Registered Apprenticeship participant earns $300,000 more over their career than those who don’t complete a program. (DOL Office of Apprenticeship)

Expanding Access: Engaging Classrooms Across New Jersey

The reach of this event extended beyond traditional job seekers. In an exciting show of early-career engagement, several high schools and training centers streamed the career fair live to full classrooms, introducing dozens of students to real-world job exploration.

Participating Educational Institutions:

  • West Side High School – Newark, NJ
  • Middlesex Magnet Schools – Middlesex County, NJ
  • Edison Job Corps Center – Edison, NJ

Each site welcomed 20+ students per classroom, allowing them to engage directly with employer booths, participate in career readiness sessions, and experience a real-time hiring environment. These institutions demonstrated the power of early exposure to career pathways—a proven factor in improving long-term employment outcomes.

According to Advance CTE, students who participate in CTE and work-based learning programs are 10% more likely to graduate and earn 20% higher median wages in the first five years of employment.

Skills That Matter: Breakout Sessions That Delivered

Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to join expert-led breakout rooms on:

  • How to Ace Your Job Interview – strategies for storytelling, preparation, and follow-up
  • Negotiation Skills for Career Seekers – how to confidently advocate for compensation and benefits
  • Navigating Promotion Conversations with HR – guidance on career growth within an organization

These sessions provided tangible, action-oriented takeaways that job seekers could immediately apply—whether pursuing full-time roles or registered apprenticeships.

Studies show that job seekers who participate in interview or negotiation coaching are 40% more likely to receive job offers and average 10–15% higher starting salaries.

A Keynote to Remember

The day was anchored by a keynote address from Dr. Michele Scott, a proud HBCU alumna of Delaware State University, global educator, and recognized leader in wellness and workforce equity. Her message emphasized longevity, adaptability, and the importance of holistic career development. Dr. Scott reminded us all that apprenticeships and professional growth are not one-time events—they are lifelong journeys.

Today, there are more than 680,000 active registered apprentices in the U.S.—a 114% increase since 2014, underscoring the rising popularity of earn-and-learn models. (U.S. DOL, 2024)

Digital Tools That Drive Results: SkillsSprint

To ensure job seekers had continued access after the fair, net.America leveraged its proprietary digital platform, SkillsSprint, to host all employer job openings featured at the event.

About SkillsSprint:

SkillsSprint is a modern, mobile-friendly career platform that allows users to:

  • Create profiles and upload resumes
  • Search and apply for jobs and apprenticeship opportunities
  • Explore training programs, certifications, and career resources
  • Connect with vetted employers committed to equitable hiring practices

Employers benefit from a streamlined dashboard for posting jobs, reviewing applications, and receiving guidance on launching apprenticeship programs.

Employers using SkillsSprint during the fair reported a 62% increase in candidate engagement compared to traditional job board postings.

Ready to Explore?

Website: https://www.skillssprint.com

Download the App:
• App Store (iOS)
• Google Play (Android)

A Unified Approach to Workforce Recovery and Growth

The Apprentice Link Virtual Career Fair 2025 successfully demonstrated what’s possible when education, industry, and workforce systems align. From packed high school classrooms to one-on-one employer chats, this event showed that career connection can be scalable, inclusive, and digital.

Through the support of the U.S. Department of Labor’s ERAP program, net.America is proud to help build a national model for equitable workforce development—rooted in access, partnership, and innovation.

What’s Next?

We remain committed to continuing this work through SkillsSprint, strategic outreach, and ongoing events across the country.

Sources & References

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
    • Healthcare Occupations Outlook, 2022–2032.
      Retrieved from: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/home.htm
  2. U.S. Department of Labor – Office of Apprenticeship.
    • Registered Apprenticeship National Results FY 2024.
      Retrieved from: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/about-us/statistics
  3. Advance CTE.
    • Career and Technical Education: A Strong Foundation for Student Success.
      Retrieved from: https://careertech.org
  4. Urban Institute.
    • The Benefits and ROI of Registered Apprenticeship.
      Retrieved from: https://www.urban.org/research/publication/measuring-benefits-registered-apprenticeship
  5. National Skills Coalition.
  6. Delaware State University – Office of Alumni Affairs.
    • Distinguished Alumni: Dr. Michele Scott.
      Internal citation based on verified biographical content.
  7. U.S. Department of Labor – Employment and Recovery Assistance Program (ERAP).
  8. SkillsSprint Platform Analytics (2025 Event Data).
    • Internal metrics provided by net.America Corp., April 2025.
      Accessed and reported by SkillsSprint system administrators.