US Labor Department awards $20.4M in contracts to partners seeking to expand, diversify registered apprenticeship

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor announced today over $20.4 million in contract awards to 14 national industry intermediaries and national equity partners to expand apprenticeship opportunities across the U.S.

Part of an historic investment in apprenticeship, the contracts will support the growth of apprenticeship programs in various industries, including healthcare, construction, transportation and logistics, manufacturing, and information and communications technology; and support increasing demographic diversity and inclusion in apprenticeship among traditionally underrepresented populations.

Today’s award is part of the administration’s $90 million funding strategy to grow and diversify apprenticeship announced in April 2016 and made possible due to bipartisan support in Congress for ApprenticeshipUSA.

Since President Obama’s 2014 call to action to expand apprenticeship, the U.S. has added almost 115,000 new registered apprenticeships – the largest increase in nearly a decade. Today’s announcement builds on that progress toward the goal of doubling and diversifying Registered Apprenticeship nationwide.

“Apprenticeship is a tried and true strategy for employers to build the talent they need to compete and grow and for workers to gain the skills and credentials that put them on the path to quality, middle-class careers,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. “The funding announced today will help ensure that as we grow apprenticeship in America, all workers – including women, people of color, and people with disabilities – have the opportunity to punch their ticket to the middle-class through apprenticeship.”

These investments will:

• Support the growth of apprenticeship programs in the healthcare, construction, transportation and logistics, energy, manufacturing, and information and communications technology sectors.
• Identify, develop and disseminate tools and strategies that increase access, entry and retention in Registered Apprenticeships for underrepresented populations.
• Assist employers from varying industry sectors in expanding apprenticeship programs, starting new programs, and working together to create a pipeline of skilled workers.
• Increase the diversity of workers entering and successfully completing Registered Apprenticeship programs through the development, implementation, and scaling of diversity and inclusion plans and practices.

Partners identified through this project will also commit to joining the growing list of ApprenticeshipUSA LEADERs working across the nation to promote, expand and diversify apprenticeships across all industries. 

Industry Intermediary Contract Recipients

National Equity Partner Contract Recipients

Today, 91 percent of apprentices remain employed after completing their programs, with average annual starting wages above $50,000. The return on investment for employers is substantial, as studies indicate that for every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers receive average of $1.47 return in increased productivity.

For more information on the department's efforts to expand apprenticeship, visit www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/.