John Ladd, Former Administrator at U.S. Department of Labor, Joins Jobs for the Future

Ladd will serve as a Senior Advisor at JFF, playing an integral role in the organization's efforts to expand high-quality apprenticeships across the country

BOSTON, March 26, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit transforming the U.S. workforce and education systems to drive economic success, today announced John Ladd has joined as Senior Advisor. Ladd joins JFF with more than 30 years of experience in workforce development at the U.S. Department of Labor's Employment and Training Administration (ETA), most recently having served as Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) since 2008.

"John Ladd and I have been colleagues in the workforce development field for more than 30 years. We're thrilled to welcome him to JFF, especially at a time of growing momentum around high-quality alternative pathways to good jobs that don't require a four-year degree, like apprenticeships," said Maria Flynn, president and CEO of JFF. "John brings a deep understanding of how to scale apprenticeships at a national level and bring the model to industries and states facing an urgent skilled-labor gap."

Building on his long history at ETA, Ladd's role at JFF will be focused on strengthening the alignment between workforce and education systems at the local, state, regional, and national levels, with a particular focus on expanding pathways to apprenticeship and work-based learning. He'll work at JFF's Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning, in addition to collaborating on efforts across the organization that will drive JFF's North Star: By 2033, 75 million people will have quality jobs.

"After years of advancing and shaping workforce policy at the federal level, I'm excited to join JFF and continue the important work in communities across the country to foster a more resilient and skilled workforce," said Ladd. "I've seen the power of apprenticeships firsthand. My father came to this country as an immigrant from Ireland and jumpstarted his career as a plumber through an apprenticeship, eventually starting his own business. I've been honored to carry forward his impact at a national level through my work at the U.S. Department of Labor and now at JFF."

Ladd's appointment at JFF comes during a time of growing state and federal-level emphasis on the need to expand solutions like apprenticeships that deliver high-quality career opportunities, building on a long history of bipartisan support for the model. U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer confirmed the administration's commitment to Registered Apprenticeships and the need to both modernize and grow the current system in partnership with Congress. In addition, earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Labor announced efforts to provide greater funding to states to establish Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs), creating more opportunities to meet the demands of today's economy. The Center for Apprenticeship and Work-Based Learning is available to help public and private sector leaders maximize these opportunities. 

As ETA Administrator, Ladd led the oversight and activities related to the National Apprenticeship Act as well as the management of OA staff in the National Office, six Regional Offices, and numerous field offices across the country.

Prior to his appointment as Administrator, he served as the Deputy Administrator for the Office of National Response and the Director of Regional Management in the Office of Field Operations. He brought extensive experience to ETA's Regional Offices, having spent several years in the Boston Regional Office working with workforce development programs in New England. John first joined the Department of Labor as a Presidential Management Fellow in 1993.

"John's leadership at ETA over the years, and through multiple administrations will undoubtedly be an asset as JFF continues to serve as a bridge between nationwide systems and important progress happening in businesses and communities across the country," said Vinz Koller, vice president of JFF's Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning. "Having had the opportunity to collaborate with John over the years, I look forward to having his expertise at the table as we continue to advance our efforts to upskill the workforce, improve job quality, and promote economic mobility for all."

JFF's Center for Apprenticeship & Work-Based Learning has long served as a trusted partner to stakeholders in the public and private sectors to design and spur adoption of high-quality apprenticeship and work-based learning programs across the country. The center works directly with employers, government agencies, community-based organizations, and more, to create and expand apprenticeship and work-based learning programs, including into new industries – ultimately creating a more skilled workforce. To date, the center has partnered with more than 3,000 employers and program sponsors, creating more than 12,000 apprenticeships nationwide. Reach out to the center's team here.

About Jobs for the Future (JFF)
JFF is building a future that works for everyone by transforming U.S. education and workforce systems to drive economic success for people, businesses, and communities. www.jff.org.

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SOURCE JOBS FOR THE FUTURE INC