Felony Conviction-No 2nd Chances?

Have I been discriminated against?
I disclosed a felony conviction as requested on a job application and on an Apprenticeship application. During the 1st year of employment, I applied for the Apprenticeship pgm and successfully competed but the pgm had fully enrolled for the year. I was invited to re-interview the following year. 2nd year, I successfully re-interviewed for the Apprenticeship pgm, and this time I was denied entrance into the Apprenticeship pgm because the background check disclosed a criminal history. I did not try to hide the information, and apparently the admissions committee did not bother to do a background check the 1st year since I was not admitted to the program that year.
One of the reasons that they denied my entrance into the program was that they would be doing a dis-service to other apprentices and the contractors who employ them. They added that they need to have apprentices who can successfully pass a background check. I have worked continuously for the same employer/contractor for 2 years and during that period of time I have worked in Homeland security buildings, and within the local police department's CSI unit. No one thought or bothered to perform a background check or asked any questions. Also, during this same 2 year period of time, I have learned that there are at least 2 apprentices who will go on record to state that they personally have multiple felonies, have done several years in prison, and have successfully participated in the Apprenticeship program. The offense that resulted in a plea bargain and felony conviction for me is 2nd degree assault/ child abuse, for which I served 6 days in the local jail. NOT A SEX OFFENSE! Can you help answer this so I can set this thing straight with the Apprenticeship committee? Is there any legal recourse for me?

[Law200]

Generally, unfortunately, U.S. employers may "legally" screen job applicants based on their criminal records. But the extent to which they may consider criminal records for employment decisions varies according to state laws and regulations or guidelines established by civil rights agencies.