Dept. of Labor Recognizes Apprenticeship Program for Disabled Veterans

The U.S. Department of Labor formally recognized a new National Standards of Apprenticeship program for the Center for Business Acceleration (CBA) at a signing ceremony on February 12, 2020. The apprenticeship includes certificate programs accredited by ANAB, making it the first ANAB-accredited program for disabled veterans.

The apprenticeships will be offered nationwide through employers participating in the U.S. AbilityOne Commission’s AbilityOne Program, which provides employment opportunities to more than 45,000 people who are blind or have significant disabilities, including approximately 3,000 veterans.

The apprenticeship includes certificate programs accredited by ANAB to ANSI/ASTM E2659 for business management, quality management, risk management, and a new program for occupational health and safety management. The recognition opens up a new chapter for disabled U.S. veterans who have decided to pursue self-employment careers.

The apprenticeship program facilitates employment of persons with significant disabilities or blindness, including disabled veterans, and supports career and entrepreneur skills in cooperation with opportunities programs supported by U.S. AbilityOne Commission, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. Department of Labor, Community Rehabilitation Centers, and other employment options.

“AbilityOne’s veteran employment initiative will become the model for providing the skills bridge through apprenticeships for veterans with severe disabilities across the nation,” said CBA’s President Phillip Selleh during the signing ceremony.

“ANAB is proud to be part of this historic milestone to support veteran careers and their valuable contributions to the U.S. workforce,” said ANAB executive director Lane Hallenbeck.

ANAB executive director Lane Hallenbeck and Dr. Turan Ayvaz, ANAB director of certificate accreditation programs, attended the signing ceremony along with representatives of the Department of Labor, Department of Defense, Department of Energy, Department of Veterans Affairs, U.S. AbilityOne Commission, and CBA.

The Center for Business Acceleration (CBA) is a non-profit institution of higher learning that offers multiple curriculum program options that are accredited by the ANSI National Accreditation Board. The CBA network offers business professionals, entrepreneurs, and employees curricula designed for working professionals. CBA’s VA Accelerator is designed to assist veterans with business administration, management, and entrepreneurship.

Above: ANAB executive director Lane Hallenbeck (standing third from left) attended a February ceremony at the Department of Labor recognizing the AbilityOne Commission apprenticeship programs for disabled veterans, which encompass the Center for Business Acceleration’s ANAB-accredited scopes of accreditation for certificate programs conforming with ANSI/ASTM E2659.