DOL Awards Nearly $84 Million to Registered Apprenticeship Programs

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has awarded nearly $84 million in grants designed to increase the capacity of Registered Apprenticeship programs throughout all 50 states and U.S. territories, marking a step toward the Trump administration’s goal of expanding programs to 1 million active apprentices.

With funding administered through the Employment and Training Administration, the grants are intended to “further accelerate Registered Apprenticeship Programs, reduce barriers, foster innovation, incentivize creativity and ongoing program success, as well as enhance transparency among Registered Apprenticeship Stakeholders,” according to a DOL statement.

The grants are meant to support industries ranging from construction and manufacturing to artificial intelligence and clean energy, and “aim to position apprenticeships as a central strategy in preparing Americans for high-demand, high-paying jobs,” the statement read.

A portion of the funds were allocated through formula grants, distributed to every state and U.S. territory based on population and other workforce metrics.

For example, Texas received over $2.8 million, the largest share, while states like New York and Illinois received $1.9 million and $1.7 million. Smaller jurisdictions such as the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands Department of Labor Workforce Investment Agency Division, were awarded $75,000 to develop their own programs.

The department additionally awarded a select group of states with grants for innovation and expansion efforts. Georgia, Illinois, Maine, Massachusetts and Tennessee each received $5 million. Indiana, Montana, Oregan, and Rhode Island also secured multi-million-dollar awards. These funds are intended to support the development of new apprenticeships with a focus on emerging industries and underrepresented communities, according to the DOL.

“Registered Apprenticeships are a vital tool for skills development, national economic competitiveness, business growth and individual opportunity,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer, in a statement.

“I am committed to providing states and territories with the resources needed to meet their unique economic demands. Together, we will achieve President Trump’s goal of one million new apprentices.”