(NewsUSA) - Youth Apprenticeship Week, an initiative of the U.S. Department of Labor, features a range of events and speakers at venues across the United States to showcase the many benefits of Registered Apprenticeship programs for youth and young adults ages 16-24.

The nationwide initiative takes place from May 5 – 11, 2024, and includes more than 300 events and over 70 proclamations intended to celebrate and educate the public about Registered Apprenticeships. Current apprentices and graduates of Registered Apprenticeship programs will share their experiences and success stories.

Youth Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity for employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, education providers, and government leaders to host events, launch new programs, and raise awareness of these life-changing Registered Apprenticeship career opportunities for youth and young adults and how they create a sustainable pipeline of skilled and diverse talent for the jobs of today and tomorrow for critical industries.

Attendees will hear how youth and young adults can utilize Registered Apprenticeships to earn competitive wages while obtaining training and skills to grow and advance in careers essential for today's workforce and jobs of the future. Registered Apprenticeships result in a nationally recognized credential and may include the chance to earn college credit and often a degree at no expense to the apprentice.

"Youth Apprenticeship Week recognizes the Biden-Harris administration's commitment to creating employment opportunities for youth and young adults and the critical role they play in our nation's workforce infrastructure," said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su in a statement announcing the event. "Youth apprenticeships are not just pathways to careers; they are bridges to futures filled with promise, opportunity, and endless potential," she emphasized.

The U.S. Department of Labor is hosting two events during Youth Apprenticeship Week, including a Kickoff event with Youth Apprentice Trailblazers on May 6 and a special Signing Day event with new youth apprentices on May 9. These events highlight careers in a range of fields important to America's success, including construction, transportation, advanced manufacturing and clean energy, education, cybersecurity, robotics, and healthcare. Youth apprenticeship is an earn-and-learn strategy that gives young people a pathway into a good job, and a jump-start into a well-paying career. Under the Biden-Harris administration, more than 1.4 million apprentices have been served, including more than 541,000 new youth and young adults ages 16 to 24 years, according to the US Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship, the government agency responsible for Registered Apprenticeship programs.

For more information about Youth Apprenticeship Week and how to participate, visit www.apprenticeship.gov. Spread the word on social media through #YAW2024 and #ApprenticeshipUSA.

(NewsUSA) - APRIL 2024 Backyard adventures await! As spring unfolds, parents seek the perfect outdoor swing set—a beacon of fun and a fortress of safety. The challenge lies in finding a backyard playset that meets all of your family's needs: It must be safe for the kids, one that will grow with your family as they do, and stylish enough to complement your backyard aesthetics. With Backyard Adventures, you can rest assured that our wooden swing sets are meticulously designed with the utmost safety and design. Every detail is crafted to protect your little ones, from the sturdy construction to the rounded edges. Ensuring your children's well-being is always our top priority, giving you peace of mind as they embark on their backyard adventures. 

For over forty years, Backyard Adventures has been the pioneer in creating outdoor playsets that, in the eyes of a child, magically transform into pirate ships and fairy-tale castles. Our monkey bars don't just hang, they morph into a jungle canopy, and our slides don't just slide, they convert into cascading waterfalls. These unique features set our outdoor playsets apart, making them the perfect choice for parents who want to ignite their children's imagination and see them embark on thrilling adventures right in their backyard.

At Backyard Adventures, we believe no two families are alike, and neither should their playsets. That's why we offer an array of swing set designs that can transform into hundreds of configurations. You can even design your own play set using our proprietary online playset design tool. This empowers you to create a playset that perfectly suits your family's needs and preferences, ensuring that your children's outdoor play experience is truly one-of-a-kind. 

Explore our latest Treehouse Peak series, designed with family in mind to encourage interactive play for parents and children. This series of wooden swing sets features high-quality forts, swings, and customizable accessories such as slides, playhouses, and monkey bars with ninja-style training features. If value is key, then explore the Summit Outlook series. Scale to new heights on climbing walls and rope ladders, or indulge in nostalgic play with classic tire swivel swings. Bridged swing sets promise a grander escapade, which can link fortresses to create an elaborate children's outdoor play structure.

Compact yards can also be a fun place to play with our Space Savers wooden swing sets, built to maximize enjoyment without sacrificing space. These playsets have climbing features, picnic areas, gangplanks, and sandboxes, providing all the essentials for a thrilling backyard adventure.

Backyard Adventures caters to various budgets, offering wooden playsets starting at $2,500 for cozier setups to $50,000 for the most elaborate ensembles. Each model features an attractive two-tone stain finish and is constructed from durable, natural cedar wood, ensuring a long-lasting and beautiful addition to any family's outdoor space. Each slide and swing invites discovery, with imagination unfurling its wings, painting new worlds in vibrant hues of play. 

With Backyard Adventures, you're not just buying a swing set, you're becoming part of a vibrant community of like-minded parents who share your values of outdoor play and family time. The support and resources available are just a click away, ensuring that your journey with Backyard Adventures is filled with joy and peace of mind. We value your participation in our community and are here to support you every step of the way.

For more information and to find your nearest dealer, visit us at www.backyardadventures.com and follow us on social at BackyardAdventuresPlaysets.

(NewsUSA) - Want to learn more about the latest innovations in artificial intelligence?

Don’t miss the first-ever AI Expo for National Competitiveness, which takes place on May 7-8, 2024, in Washington, D.C. at the D.C. Convention Center.

The event, sponsored by the Special Competitive Studies Project, is meant to spark an exchange of ideas and initiatives related to the intersection of AI, emerging technology, and national security.

The AI Expo provides a unique opportunity to spotlight companies and organizations that play critical roles in the ability of the United States to be competitive on a global scale.

“Witness firsthand the groundbreaking technologies poised to maintain U.S. leadership on the world stage,” says SCSP President and CEO Ylli Bajraktari. “Dive into meaningful dialogues with experts and enthusiasts alike, all with a shared vision: to solidify the United States’ position as the leader in critical, emerging technologies.”

The Expo will bring together experts from a range of fields to explore the key areas of AI and emerging technology that impact our national security, economy, and society.

The agenda features more than 300 renown speakers.

SCSP is a nonprofit and nonpartisan initiative with a goal of making recommendations to strengthen America's long-term competitiveness as artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies reshape national security, the economy, and society.

The Expo is free and open to the public, and offers a range of opportunities for sponsors, exhibitors, and participants. This event will not be livestreamed, so be sure to get your ticket! 

For more information, visit expo.scsp.ai.

(NewsUSA) - Everyone with a car needs auto glass repair at some point, but it need not be an expensive or stressful process.

Cracks larger than 10 inches can reduce vision of the road in front of you, greatly reducing road safety. No one plans for auto glass repair, and Auto Glass Now is committed to getting car owners back on the road quickly, on their schedule.

Auto Glass Now, the company known for fast, reliable, and convenient auto glass services, has expanded to more than 200 locations in 35 states.

Auto Glass Now’s local experts are there when you need them, providing reliable auto glass repair and replacement services at reasonable prices, without sacrificing high quality, convenience, or customer satisfaction. Their teams can help provide trusted auto glass repairs, replacements, and ADAS calibrations.

“Auto Glass Now is committed to offering unparalleled convenience, value, and customer satisfaction,” says President Nick Ouimet. “
Auto Glass Now’s key customer offerings that set it apart include same day or next day service, convenient and flexible repair times tailored to each customer’s schedule, and a choice of in-store or mobile repairs. Other benefits include guaranteed price matching, flexible payment options, including buy now/pay later, and acceptance of all insurance.

In addition to these great benefits, Auto Glass Now also offers a Lifetime Warranty against any leaks, molding issues, or defects in the glass. “If our original work requires adjustment or repair, we are happy to repair it at no cost to you as long as you own or lease the vehicle we serviced,” Ouimet says.

Be on the lookout for a new advertising campaign with humorous ads that convey the urgency for customers to schedule their auto glass repairs today: "Auto Glass Now gets you auto glass now!" In addition to the humor, Ouimet says customers should know that “Auto Glass Now is committed to being a leader in the auto glass repair industry..”

As part of the Driven Brands family, Auto Glass Now delivers national scale and efficiency, as well as premier service quality. For more information and to find a service center near you, visit AutoGlassNow.com.

(NewsUSA) - Caregivers, especially parents, often spend so much time focused on the well-being of others, they neglect to take a break for their own mental health. According to KinderCare’s Parent Confidence Index, 51% of parents feel that they never get a break from parenting. As a result, their energy decreases, their emotional tank runs close to empty, and they can struggle to be at their best for their families.

As caregivers, it’s important to take care of oneself to show up each day and care for the needs of children. Simply put, you can’t pour from an empty cup. Guilt often creeps in for parents when they prioritize their own needs; however, it’s ultimately creating a win-win scenario because doing so teaches children how to keep their own mental health top of mind. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and a great time to start practicing.

Here’s a few tips on how to care for your own mental health amid the parenting frenzy:

1. Start small. Simpler habits seem to form faster. Even if it's a few days a week or a few minutes a day, taking the first step of refueling and restoring your energy is a good start. Whether it’s journaling, gratitude recognition, exercising or reading, it’s not about what you choose to do as a reset, it’s more about the intentionality of taking the time to do it. 
2. Ask for help. Talk with a loved one about your needs and goals. Ask them to not only help remind you to take breaks but encourage you to do so. Accountability can be a fundamental step in ensuring your positive wellbeing as a caregiver.
3. Lean into existing resources. Utilize resources around you, such as your child’s child care center by extending their day in care a few days a week for 15-30 minutes. Having peace of mind of knowing that they’re somewhere safe and secure while you take a break is important.
4. Set expectations with your children. Share what it will look like for them while you are taking time for yourself. Reassure them you will return to play, read a book or sing silly songs. Explain what they can do, who can help them if needed and when can they expect you back. Express that “this is what I need to help my body and mind feel strong.”
5. Be a role model. As any teacher or parent knows, children mimic their caregivers’ behaviors and are in-tune with the attitudes and moods of those surrounding them. In time, they will learn how to take time for themselves by watching you create intentionality around it, and, in turn, will gain confidence in creating those moments for themselves.

For more tips on self-care and mental health for both parents and children, visit KinderCare.com.