Apprenticeship is a workforce development strategy that trains an individual in a specific occupation using a structured combination of on-the-job training and related instruction. How are State Apprenticeship Agencies recognized? SAAs must go through a recognition process with the U.S. Department of Labor. There are likely other workforce programs that combine on-the-job training and related instruction but do not meet Registered Apprenticeship requirements or otherwise have not registered with a certifying agency. What federal funding directly supports apprenticeship? In recent years, however, dedicated federal funds have been made available to support the development and expansion of apprenticeship programs:
In December 2014, DOL solicited applications for competitive American Apprenticeship Grants. There are several federal programs in which supporting apprenticeship is an allowable use of funds.
Apprenticeship is a job training strategy that combines on-the-job training with related instruction, typically provided in a classroom setting. This report answers frequently asked questions about apprenticeship and the federal activities that support this training approach.
This Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) report focuses on the Registered Apprenticeship system, through which the U.S. Department of Labor (or a recognized state apprenticeship agency) certifies a program as meeting federal requirements related to duration, intensity, and benefit to the apprentice. Historically, the federal role in apprenticeship has primarily involved regulation and oversight. In recent years, federal funds have been made available to support the development and expansion of apprenticeship programs. There are also several established federal funding streams in which apprenticeship is an allowable, but not required, use of funds.