Policy Blueprint to Modernize & Expand Apprenticeship Nationwide

The U.S. labor market is at a crossroads. Unemployment has been low, but employers in many sectors face a persistent struggle to fill positions. Several interconnected factors contribute to this challenge, including an aging population, lagging labor force participation, and a widening gap between the skills the labor market demands and the skills education and training systems offer, leaving many workers unprepared for good jobs.

One powerful solution lies in a time-tested workforce development model: apprenticeship. This earn-and-learn approach combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction, culminating in an industry-recognized credential and, often, a full-time job.

To meet the demands of today’s labor market and ensure there are no dead ends for learners and workers, the United States must accelerate efforts to modernize and expand its apprenticeship system and increase access to high-quality apprenticeship opportunities.

This policy report highlights the history of apprenticeship programs in the United States and outlines our recommendations to rebuild and expand the apprenticeship system to prepare U.S. businesses and workers for the future of work.