The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the allocation of nearly $84 million in grants to all 50 states and territories, aiming to enhance the capacity of Registered Apprenticeship programs. This initiative aligns with the Administration's objective to reach one million active apprentices.
Since the onset of the Trump Administration, over 134,000 new apprentices have registered nationwide. The current awards include both base formula funding and competitive funding to help states improve and expand their Registered Apprenticeship programs. This marks the third distribution of State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula funding by the department.
These funds are intended to accelerate Registered Apprenticeship programs, encourage program creation and success, lower entry barriers for employers and industries, promote innovation, and increase transparency among stakeholders involved in these programs.
"Registered Apprenticeships are a vital tool for skills development, national economic competitiveness, business growth, and individual opportunity," stated U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. "They will become even more important as President Trump continues to create jobs in critical sectors like manufacturing and construction," she added. Chavez-DeRemer expressed her commitment to providing resources necessary for states and territories to meet their unique economic needs: "Together, we will achieve President Trump’s goal of 1 million new active apprentices."
The State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula funding will also support several Presidential Executive Orders aimed at enhancing the National Apprenticeship system. These include initiatives such as "Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future," "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth," "Restoring America’s Maritime Dominance," and "Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base."
The expansion targets both traditional industries like manufacturing and construction as well as emerging sectors including technology, artificial intelligence (AI), advanced manufacturing, supply chain management, transportation, building trades.
A detailed list was provided with specific amounts allocated through State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants across various states such as Alaska receiving $423,872; Arizona $920,467; Arkansas $780,950; Colorado $856,474; among others.
Additionally awarded were competitive State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants with significant sums going towards Georgia ($5 million), Illinois ($5 million), Indiana ($4.97 million), Maine ($5 million), Massachusetts ($5 million), Montana ($4 million), Oregon ($4.99 million), Rhode Island ($4.24 million) Tennessee($5million).
