In a world drowning in student debt and entry-level jobs that demand five years of experience, there is a proven path that’s been hiding in plain sight: Registered Apprenticeships. They are modern, high-impact, earn-while-you-learn models that deliver critical skills, higher wages than their degree-earning counterparts, and real results—without the crushing debt of a four-year degree.
Last week, we joined employers, industry associations, educational institutions, workforce partners, labor unions, government agencies, community-based programs, and others to host over 3,000 apprenticeship events in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Federated States of Micronesia, and all five U.S. territories. With more than 670,000 attendees, this record-breaking National Apprenticeship Week was a celebration of collaborative efforts to Make America Skilled Again.
We are grateful to all the partners who helped us celebrate the successes of apprentices like Margareth Mbea and Malachi Reid, who joined us at the Department of Labor and talked about the positive impact their apprenticeships have had on their lives. We are also grateful for students like Dustin Lewis, a Salesforce administrator apprentice, who spoke on a webinar about how his apprenticeship with the Blind Institute of Technology opened doors he had not imagined possible. Here are some other highlights from the week:
Celebrating the vital role of business
This year’s record-breaking NAW was not just parties and proclamations, however; it was a national spotlight on momentum and the businesses that drive our economic reindustrialization. Businesses are essential to America’s apprenticeship success, and we were proud to celebrate the week with some of our business partners. We hosted Registered Apprenticeship program standards signings with several major employers, including AstraZeneca, Amcor Global Rigid Packaging Solutions, and Job Forward, along with their partners IBM and M&T Bank. The Department of War was also there, signing standards for their first ever registered civilian apprenticeship program, which will focus on cybersecurity and offer a gateway to opportunities throughout the federal government.
In a discussion moderated by Office of Apprenticeship Acting Administrator Megan Baird, panelists from Job Forward, IBM, and M&T Bank shared their experiences using Registered Apprenticeships to support their critical talent development needs. They also spoke about the value of partnerships in effectively connecting to the National Apprenticeship System and shared practical strategies for how companies can weave Registered Apprenticeships into their recruitment and talent development efforts.
We also hosted an industry accelerator event gathering leaders across advanced manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare, and construction to discuss how apprenticeships advance the president’s efforts to prepare Americans for good jobs in growing industries, and what we are doing to support those efforts.
A panel discussion featuring representatives from the Global Electronics Association, Wireless Infrastructure Association, National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, and Independent Electrical Contractors highlighted how they’ve succeeded in strengthening talent pipelines, boosting retention, and improving workforce performance and safety.
And Deputy Assistant Secretary Marek Laco facilitated a roundtable discussion that reinforced the essential role industry associations play in identifying critical occupational needs, developing national program standards, and sponsoring programs their employer members can quickly join, significantly lightening the administrative burden on employers and empowering them to focus on training workers on their specific technologies while keeping pace with rapidly changing industry demands.
Building the AI-ready workforce through Registered Apprenticeship
On Wednesday, we hosted an event to explore how artificial intelligence is transforming Registered Apprenticeship programs and how we’re helping Make America AI-Ready. The event included a panel discussion with representatives from private sector leaders in AI, including Google, NPower, Lockheed Martin, and BuildWithin.
We also announced the launch of our AI in Registered Apprenticeship Innovation Portal, a one-stop resource for organizations looking to build AI literacy and incorporate AI skills into their Registered Apprenticeship programs. This launch reflects this administration’s commitment to ensuring American workers and businesses are equipped to lead in an AI-driven economy.
Celebrating registered system partners
On Thursday, we held a roundtable with the Department of Education and leaders from across higher education, exploring how degree-connected Registered Apprenticeships benefit learners and employers, the important role of partnerships between higher education and industry, and potential policy alignment and funding opportunities to scale best practices nationwide.
In America's Talent Strategy, the president calls explicitly for growing these models, and the roundtable translated that policy commitment into action, agreeing that degree-connected Registered Apprenticeships have enormous potential, and identifying real challenges that must be overcome to merge the traditional college model with Registered Apprenticeships.
Celebrating local, state, and federal partners
Hundreds of governors, mayors, elected officials and federal agencies submitted official proclamations extoling the benefits of apprenticeship. And partners across the country also spotlighted apprenticeship successes via webinars, open houses, hands-on challenges, symposia and more.
We are grateful to every employer, community-based organization, workforce partner, and stakeholder who made this year’s celebrations so memorable and who work every day to champion the power of Registered Apprenticeship.
Ready to take the next step? Visit Apprenticeship.gov to learn how to start a program, find apprenticeship opportunities, explore educator resources, and stay up to date on plans for the next National Apprenticeship Week (April 25 May 1, 2027).
Henry Mack, Ed.D. is the assistant secretary of labor for employment and training.
