Julie Su Acting United States Secretary of Labor | Official Website
WASHINGTON – The Biden-Harris administration has announced the largest combined federal investment in Registered Apprenticeships to date, with the Department of Labor awarding over $244 million through two grant programs. These funds aim to modernize, diversify, and expand the Registered Apprenticeship system in growing U.S. industries.
The investments are part of the Biden-Harris administration’s Investing in America agenda, which focuses on rebuilding the middle class and increasing opportunities for underrepresented populations to enter high-demand occupations offering family-supporting wages. Acting Secretary Julie Su and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden made this announcement at the Pennsylvania College of Technology in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.
Nearly $195 million will be distributed through the second round of funding under the Apprenticeship Building America initiative. This program supports public-private partnerships across various industries and individuals, aiming to expand Registered Apprenticeships in fields such as K-12 education, clean energy, IT and cybersecurity, advanced manufacturing, supply chain management, hospitality, care economy, and public-sector occupations.
Additionally, $49 million will be awarded through the second round of competitive State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants to nine states. Since the start of the Biden-Harris administration, these investments have enabled more than 900,000 individuals to begin apprenticeships.
"Today’s historic investment in Registered Apprenticeships – the superhighways of our workforce infrastructure system – demonstrates the Biden-Harris administration’s commitment to both America’s workers and employers," said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. "This award totaling more than $244 million will help expand, strengthen and diversify programs that aren’t just one-offs – they create a pipeline of workers with in-demand skills."
The grants announced include awards for ensuring equitable apprenticeship pathways through pre-apprenticeship programs aligned with education systems and establishing Registered Apprenticeship Hubs. Recipients will partner with employers and other stakeholders to launch programs providing high-quality training opportunities for underrepresented populations.
In 2022 alone, $171 million was awarded through this program. Nearly $730 million has now been invested to expand and modernize Registered Apprenticeships since then.
To support states’ efforts as key partners in expanding national apprenticeships, an additional $49 million in grants will assist recipients in offering expertise needed by industries to create career pathways with competitive wages. These competitive grants enable states to adopt strategies proven effective in expanding apprenticeship opportunities across key sectors.
Earlier this week saw another announcement from the department regarding over $39 million allocated through base formula funding for State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants.
Learn more about these initiatives below:
Apprenticeship Building America Grant Recipients:
- East Valley Institute of Technology (Mesa AZ) - $6M
- NextGen Climate America Inc. (Sacramento CA) - $5.99M
- The Arapahoe/Douglas Workforce Development Board (Centennial CO) - $6M
- Activate Work Inc. (Denver CO) - $3.84M
- CareerWise Colorado (Denver CO) - $4M
... [list continues]
Competitive State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Grants:
- Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (Juneau AK) - $5.28M
- State of Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (Honolulu HI) - $4.99M
... [list continues]
