APRIL 2026
Get ready to spring into action! The National Apprenticeship System has been buzzing with activity, and we've packed this newsletter with everything you need to know. Learn about exciting new U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) funding opportunities and policy updates, unlock valuable training resources on Apprenticeship.gov, and check out powerful tools to help you gear up for National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026, happening April 26 - May 2, 2026. Don't miss your chance to be part of the excitement and make an impact in the biggest NAW ever!
We are exactly two weeks away from National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) 2026! Don't forget to add your event or proclamation to the NAW website. So far, almost 1,700 events and proclamations have been registered and it’s not too late to add yours! Submit your NAW 2026 activities using the links below.
NAW 2026 Event Registration Link
NAW 2026 Proclamation Submission Link
Thanks to everyone who attended our recent NAW 2026 virtual Town Hall. Leaders from the U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, and Commerce shared why NAW 2026 is the ideal time to showcase the power of Registered Apprenticeship in building a highly skilled workforce and strengthening our nation's economy.
For those who missed the live event, we’ve got you covered. The full RECORDING is now available for you to watch on-demand.
NAW 2026 Sizzle Reel
Want a sneak peek of the energy and excitement of NAW 2026? Look no further. Our official NAW 2026 Sizzle Reel just dropped! This short, powerful video is the perfect tool to get everyone fired up for National Apprenticeship Week. We encourage you to share it far and wide - let's make this the biggest celebration yet!
NAW 2026 Planning Toolkit Highlights
Check out our NAW Resources Page on Apprenticeship.gov for a variety of helpful tools, including our NAW Event Planning Toolkit. This toolkit shares a host of helpful items to help organizations plan successful NAW events, including:
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Event Planning Checklist: Whether you’ve already submitted a NAW event or are just thinking about hosting one, this checklist will help you get started.
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Sample Event Agenda: Use our NAW sample event agenda and mock run of show as a resource to finalize event logistics.
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Invitation Tips: Find tips on how to build your invite list, and an invitation sample to use as a template or as inspiration to create your own personalized invites.
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Messaging: Use these NAW facts and messages to brush up on the “why” of Registered Apprenticeship or to prep presenters for your event.
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How to Submit An Event: Just go to our Submit a NAW Event Link on Apprenticeship.gov.
Take a look at our NAW 2026 Promotional Toolkit for some great tips for promoting your event in order to get the highest number of attendees!
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ADDITIONAL NAW 2026 RESOURCES
We have also added a number of new NAW Resources for your use in planning for the best NAW observance yet. Below you will find links for new resources available to you.
NAW 2026 Fact Sheet for Students and Career Seekers
We encourage educational providers to share this fact sheet with their students. NAW event hosts should also share it with career seekers who may attend their events, especially at career fairs and other related events.
NAW 2026 Logos
NAW 2026 Virtual Backgrounds for Online Meetings
NAW 2026 E-Mail Signature
STATE APPRENTICESHIP EXPANSION FORMULA FUNDING, ROUND 4
DOL recently announced the availability of approximately $85 million in funding to help states and territories fuel Registered Apprenticeship expansion and advance President Trump’s goal of reaching and surpassing 1 million active apprentices nationwide.
Administered by the Department’s Employment and Training Administration (ETA), the State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula, Round 4 (SAEF4) grants provide direct funding to states and territories based on a new performance-based formula. This formula rewards states for recent growth in active and new apprentices and encourages strategies that increase employer participation. SAEF4 also aligns with America's Talent Strategy and also with Executive Order 14278, "Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future," by preparing the workforce for economic growth and strengthening the National Apprenticeship System as the nation's premier talent development pipeline.
For additional information, please click HERE to view the SAEF4 grant solicitation on Grants.gov web page.
DOL ANNOUNCES FUNDING OPPORTUNITY TO ADVANCE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI) SKILLS DEVELOPMENT THROUGH REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP
On April 1, DOL announced a national contracting opportunity designed to accelerate the integration of artificial intelligence skills into Registered Apprenticeship programs, marking a major step forward in preparing the American workforce for the jobs of the future.
Through this initiative, ETA seeks to expand AI-related training, modernize apprenticeship programs, and strengthen the nation’s talent pipeline across emerging and critical industries. The department aims to ensure workers across all sectors gain the AI literacy and technical skills needed to compete in a rapidly evolving global economy.
These efforts align with broader federal priorities, including Executive Order 14277, "Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth,", to expand Registered Apprenticeships and strengthen workforce readiness in critical sectors, and the department’s AI Literacy Framework and the recently announced Make America AI-Ready initiative.
The deadline to submit a proposal is April 17, 2026 at 3:00pm EDT. Click HERE for more information about the AI Request for Proposals (RFP).
GROWING QUALITY REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS THROUGH INDUSTRY INTERMEDIARIES RFP RELEASED
Also on April 1, DOL released a Request for Proposal (RFP) announcement to seek the services of multiple intermediaries to grow Registered Apprenticeships in new and high growth industries and occupations through rapid development of programs and quality technical industry expertise. The following breakdown outlines the industry:
- Registered Apprenticeship is new and/or emerging (not traditionally scaled): Agriculture, Energy (including nuclear energy), Defense Industrial Base (including Aerospace/Aviation, Shipbuilding/Maritime, etc.), Education, and Financial and Insurance;
- Registered Apprenticeship is existing and in in-demand/critical sectors (established): Healthcare, Telecommunications; Cybersecurity, and Advanced Manufacturing.
Additionally, DOL is interested in exploring a non-industry specific Intermediary with capabilities to support multiple industries - including, but not limited to: Public Services, Information Technology, Professional Services, and Accommodation and Food Services - that are established, new, and/or emerging and not otherwise covered by the above industry list.
The closing date is May 1st, 2026, at 3:00pm EDT. Click HERE for more information about the industry intermediary Request for Proposals.
On March 9, DOL issued guidance on the Registered Apprenticeship system designed to improve flexibility and reduce burdens for program sponsors, promote clarity and consistency in the registration process across states, elevate quality standards, and increase transparency surrounding the structure of the National Apprenticeship system.
The guidance gives apprenticeship program sponsors clearer direction on how to design Registered Apprenticeship programs that fit their workforce’s needs, outlines the roles and functions of state apprenticeship agencies and councils, and clarifies how to determine apprenticeship completion rates. ETA’s Office of Apprenticeship (OA) also committed to making final registration determinations within 30 days of receiving signed standards.
The agency also announced the launch of an online portal featuring data on apprenticeship program completion rates and a webpage highlighting apprenticeship registration timelines and transparency on registration performance.
Links are provided for these Registered Apprenticeship guidance documents below.
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Circular 2026-01: Provides updated guidelines for Registered Apprenticeship program design under the three approaches to completing an apprenticeship program.
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Circular 2026-02: Outlines the roles and functions of state apprenticeship agencies and apprenticeship councils.
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Circular 2026-03: Clarifies how apprenticeship program completion rates are determined and used to improve program quality and announces a Registered Apprenticeship performance data portal.
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Bulletin 2026-35: Solidifies the Office of Apprenticeship’s commitment to making apprenticeship program registration determinations within 30 days and announces launch of online resource that will promote transparency on registration performance and ensure ETA meets its 30-day program determination commitment.
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DOL UNVEILS PROGRAM REGISTRATION MONTHLY "SHOT CLOCK"
To reach and surpass the Administration’s goal of 1 million active apprentices, OA is committed to improving internal processes and using modernized, relevant online platforms to streamline and expedite the registration process, increase transparency, improve user experience, and meet the needs of industry and career seekers. To further these goals, as noted above, OA released Bulletin 2026-35 to announce its commitment to making apprenticeship program registration determinations within 30 days of a sponsor’s final submission of signed local program standards in Standards Builder, as well as National Program Standards and National Guideline Standards submitted to OA staff.
To ensure transparency and showcase progress in meeting this 30-day commitment, DOL launched a new "shot clock" website to highlight the number of apprenticeship programs developed in OA states on a monthly basis, and the average amount of time it took to register the programs. This commitment will improve efficiency and provide a more consistent customer experience, ensuring OA’s ability to move at the speed of business.
DOL HOLDS WEBINAR TO PROVIDE INFORMATION REGARDING RECENTLY ISSUED SUB-REGULATORY GUIDANCE
On March 27, DOL held a webinar to provide Registered Apprenticeship system stakeholders with information regarding the recent sub-regulatory guidance described above. The webinar focused on how this guidance provides clarity on critical provisions of Code of Federal Regulations Part 29 and highlights system flexibilities that serve to reduce burden for stakeholders and enhance Registered Apprenticesh | 
