The U.S. Department of Labor is making available nearly $200 million in grants to continue to support public-private partnerships that expand, diversify and strengthen registered apprenticeships.
The funding opportunity announced Wednesday includes $95 million of competitive grants through the second round of the Apprenticeship Building America Grant Program and $100 million in the second round of State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula Grants.
U.S. Labor Secretary Julie Su said the investment underscores the department’s commitment to providing all American workers with access to training and career preparation that leads to well-paying, family-sustaining wages.
The USDOL’s Employment and Training Administration will use these funds to prioritize projects that support the Investing in America agenda – including the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, CHIPS and Science Act, and Inflation Reduction Act – by expanding access to Registered Apprenticeships in high-demand sectors and occupations.
These sectors include:
- Information technology/cybersecurity
- K-12 teacher occupations
- Care economy (nursing, early childcare, mental health occupations)
- Clean energy
- Hospitality
- Public sector
- Supply chain sectors (logistics, warehousing, transportation, manufacturing)
The Apprenticeship Building America Grant Program seeks to leverage registered apprenticeships as a workforce solution while ensuring that people from underrepresented and underserved communities can access high-quality training and pre-apprenticeships that lead directly to enrollment in registered apprenticeships. The department will award 12 to 25 grants, ranging from $1 million to $8 million, in three categories depending on the geographic scope:
- Category 1 – Ensuring equitable registered apprenticeship program pathways and partnerships through pre-apprenticeship.
- Category 2 – Creation of education system-aligned pre-apprenticeship programs and registered apprenticeship programs.
- Category 3 – Registered apprenticeship hubs.
Successful applicants will integrate strategies that align with priorities for diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.
Go here to learn more about the second round of Apprenticeship Building America grants and apply.
Go here to learn more about the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula grants.
