U.S. Department of Labor Awards $162 Million to Expand Registered Apprenticeships

Highlights

• The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded nearly $162 million to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs nationwide.
• Five cooperative agreements will support workforce development in defense, shipbuilding, artificial intelligence, telecommunications, nuclear energy, and automotive sectors.
• The funding uses a performance-based model tied to apprentice retention and progression.
• The initiative supports the federal goal of exceeding one million active registered apprentices.

Federal workforce investment continues to support the growing demand for skilled labor across construction, manufacturing, and critical infrastructure industries. The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded nearly $162 million through five cooperative agreements to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs in sectors considered essential to national industrial and economic priorities.

The Employment and Training Administration will oversee the program, which provides incentive payments to apprenticeship sponsors based on measurable apprentice retention and advancement milestones.

Performance-Based Workforce Investment

The Pay-for-Performance Incentive Payments Program links federal funding to verified apprenticeship outcomes rather than upfront enrollment targets.

At least 85 percent of each award will be directed to eligible Registered Apprenticeship sponsors operating across all U.S. states and territories.

The Department of Labor expects apprenticeship sponsors to begin applying for incentive funding during the fall following implementation activities with grant recipients.

Five Organizations Receive Funding

The five cooperative agreements support apprenticeship expansion across multiple industries:

• Florida Department of Commerce received $40 million to support defense industrial base, shipbuilding, and maritime manufacturing apprenticeships through a nationwide consortium.
• Jobs for the Future Inc. received $40 million to expand apprenticeship opportunities supporting artificial intelligence infrastructure, semiconductor manufacturing, and nuclear energy.
• Wireless Infrastructure Association received $29.9 million to increase telecommunications apprenticeships through its national sponsor network.
• The Trustees of Clark University received $27 million to expand Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in information technology occupations.
• ASE Foundation received $25 million to strengthen automotive and truck service technician apprenticeship programs nationwide.

The recipients will collaborate with employers, industry associations, workforce organizations, and existing apprenticeship networks to increase participation and support long-term program growth.

Industry Focus

The funding aligns with federal efforts to strengthen workforce pipelines for industries experiencing sustained labor demand, including advanced manufacturing, defense, telecommunications, maritime construction, energy infrastructure, and emerging technologies.

The initiative also supports broader national workforce strategies aimed at expanding apprenticeship opportunities in occupations tied to industrial growth and critical infrastructure investment.

Why It Matters

For construction owners, contractors, developers, and infrastructure employers, expanding Registered Apprenticeship programs helps address ongoing skilled labor shortages while creating structured pathways into high-demand trades. Performance-based funding also encourages measurable workforce outcomes, supporting employers seeking qualified craft professionals for increasingly complex construction and industrial projects.

Source: U.S. Department Of Labor.