US Department of Labor kicks off 9th annual National Apprenticeship Week

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the start of National Apprenticeship Week, an annual event that includes plans in 2023 for more than 1,300 events and proclamations nationwide, united by the theme, “Registered Apprenticeship: Superhighway to Good Jobs.”

Through Nov. 19, this year’s 9th annual event will bring employers, industry associations, labor organizations, community-based organizations, workforce partners, education providers and government leaders together to showcase the importance of Registered Apprenticeship in improving job quality and expanding U.S. workers’ access to good-paying jobs in many industries. 

“National Apprenticeship Week recognizes the Biden-Harris administration’s historic investments in Registered Apprenticeships and their vital importance to our nation’s workforce infrastructure,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “This week, we commend our partners — in industry associations, labor organizations, education and academia, workforce development, community-based organizations and in federal, state and local governments — for committing to make the long-term investments needed to ensure a pipeline of talent for the good-paying, quality jobs being created across the nation.” 

To highlight the week’s importance, Acting Secretary Su will attend several events, including a National Youth Apprenticeship graduation event today, where Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and White House officials will gather with apprentices, recent graduates and other stakeholders to celebrate. The apprentices and stakeholders represent a wide range of industries central to the nation’s “Investing in America” initiative, such as construction, advanced manufacturing and clean energy, education, cybersecurity and healthcare. 

In its efforts to expand Registered Apprenticeship, the Biden-Harris administration has developed more than 7,100 new programs and welcomed more than 12,000 new employer partners to participating programs. These efforts by the administration have led to the hiring of more than 1.3 million apprentices, which includes more than 350,000 apprentices from ages 16 to 24, about 200,000 Hispanic apprentices, more than 130,000 women and 118,000 Black apprentices. 

Since National Apprenticeship Week began in 2015, more than 800,000 people have participated in more than 6,800 events, and 1,300 proclamations in support of the proven model have been issued.

Learn more about National Apprenticeship Week 2023 and how to participate.