The U.S. Department of Labor recently announced two initiatives designed to expand the national apprenticeship system and reinforce the Trump administration’s goal of exceeding 1 million active apprentices nationwide.
“Businesses in the Central Valley should be excited about the different funding options […] as these are non-repayable capital investments that support workforce development and modernize the region’s labor market,” said Joshua Wetzel, west coast regional representative from the U.S. Department of Labor.
The Employment and Training Administration administers both initiatives, which operate through a pay-for-performance model, an outcomes-based compensation strategy incentivizing high productivity and quality of work.
First, the department released a forecast notice announcing the upcoming availability of $145 million in funding to expand the current Registered Apprenticeship program, representing its largest investment to date. The initiative will award up to five cooperative agreements over a four-year period to support the creation of new registered apprenticeships and the expansion of existing programs across multiple industries. The program aligns with several presidential executive orders focused on skilled trades, artificial intelligence, maritime industries, and strengthening the nuclear industrial base, with the broader goal of closing skills gaps and filling well-paying, in-demand jobs.
More information regarding this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) Forecast may be found at Apprenticeship.gov.
In addition, the department last month announced the launch of the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, a $35.8 million initiative developed through a cooperative agreement with the Arkansas Department of Commerce. The application portal for this fund is scheduled to open January 28, 2026. The program focuses specifically on expanding advanced manufacturing registered apprenticeships nationwide, incentivizing employers—particularly small and mid-sized manufacturers—by providing $3,500 for each new apprentice hired to help them develop, expand, or join existing apprenticeship programs.
For more information on the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, visit Apprenticeship.gov or ArkansasOSD.com/MFGfund. Interested parties may also email OSD.MFGfund@arkansas.gov or call 501-682-6546.
For more updates on Fresno County development and business initiatives, stay connected with the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.
