WIA – Industry Intermediary
An Industry Intermediary serves as a conduit between employers, industry partners, and the United States Department of Labor to accelerate apprenticeship program development and help broker new sector-based apprenticeship partnerships at the regional and national level. Intermediaries are uniquely positioned to convene employers and other key partners to determine workforce trends and can assist in blending and braiding customized services and incentive funding to grow the demand for new apprenticeship programs.
The technical assistance provided to each participating employer by WIA eases the administrative burden of program startup. Contact WIA to schedule an overview of the employer registration process.
Program Administrators
Patrick Haley – Program Sponsor
Patrick Halley is President and Chief Executive Officer of the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA). WIA represents over 140 companies that develop, build, own and operate the nation’s wireless infrastructure and is the leading authority on all things wireless.
Mr. Halley joined WIA in August of 2022. Prior to joining the association, he was the Senior Vice President of Policy & Advocacy and General Counsel at USTelecom – The Broadband Association. There he led the association’s policy development and advocacy efforts in Washington, DC, and the states. He also served as an officer of the Industry Traceback Group, LLC, an organization that traces, sources, and ultimately works to prevent illegal robocalls.
Brent Weil – Vice President of Workforce Development
As Vice President of Workforce Development, Brent Weil leads WIA’s workforce programs aimed at building a pipeline of qualified workers for the wireless industry. These initiatives include the Telecommunications Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Program (TIRAP) and the Telecommunications Education Center (TEC).
Brent brings more than 20 years of experience in workforce development, staffing, public-private partnerships, and education and training solutions. He came to WIA from Argentum, the industry association representing the senior living industry. There, he led initiatives that raised awareness of senior living careers and organized industry leaders around workforce solutions. These efforts led to Argentum’s national sponsorship of a registered apprenticeship for caregivers in assisted living and a $6 million grant to achieve more than 7,200 apprentices nationwide.
Previously, Brent worked for The Manufacturing Institute at the National Association of Manufacturers, where he managed a team focused on industry engagement and educational partnerships and executed a strategic plan to build career pathways into manufacturing. He has also served as vice president of staffing and mid-Atlantic operations for PrimeFlight Aviation Services in Nashville, Tenn., and as manager of national partnerships for the U.S. Department of Labor in Washington, D.C.
Brent earned a bachelor’s degree in political science at Stanford University and a master’s degree in education at George Washington University.
When Brent isn’t playing the samba, he is probably fencing for fun and competition.
Deb Bennett – Director of Apprenticeship
Deb Bennett is responsible for the overall administrative operation of TIRAP and compliance with National Standards. She works directly with participating employers to coordinate a wide range of activities related to the registration process. Contact Deb at deb.bennett@wia.org to learn more about TIRAP and the registration process.