NAWB Projects Support Expansion of Registered Apprenticeship Programs

Through various externally supported initiatives, NAWB helps Workforce Development Boards (WDBs) expand registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning approaches. Across these grants and initiatives, NAWB:

  • Provides data on industry sector occupations and workforce growth forecasts
  • Helps WDBs identify employers within key industry sectors and conduct outreach and education on the value of Registered Apprenticeship Programs 
  • Connects interested employers with education and training providers that can support the delivery of registered apprenticeships
  • Captures and disseminates best practices, resources, and lessons across and between workforce boards
  • Elevates the voice and perspectives of workforce boards in federal policy and budget discussions
Supply Chain Automation (SCA) Hub

Supply Chain Automation (SCA) Hub

NAWB served as partner with the Manhattan Strategy Group (MSG) to operate a Supply Chain Automation (SCA) Hub funded through a U.S. Department of Labor grant.

The Hub was designed to help employers and industry partners build and expand customized training programs through Registered Apprenticeship Programs. These programs help strengthen and diversify supply chain talent pipelines while improving productivity, recruitment, retention, and worker engagement.

NAWB contributed to the initiative by:

  • Conducting outreach and education for employers and educational institutions about the benefits of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in supply chain automation
  • Supporting the recruitment and connections of employers, training providers, and workforce organizations
  • Disseminating information about the Sponsor/Employer Incentive Fund 
  • Helping WDBs identify local supply chain employers and conduct outreach on the value of Registered Apprenticeship Programs

National Institute for Work and Learning

NAWB partnered with the FHI 360 National Institute for Work and Learning on a Registered Apprenticeship project focused on expanding nationally registered apprenticeship programs in the care economy. The project was funded by a U.S. Department of Labor Apprenticeship Building America (ABA2) grant.

The initiative brought together workforce development experts to expand existing Registered Apprenticeship Programs such as:

The care economy is a rapidly growing field that supports individuals facing physical, mental, and societal challenges.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in youth development, peer support, and substance use disorder and mental health counseling occupations is projected to grow by approximately 16% between 2023 and 2033.

Apprenticeships in these professions provide accessible entry pathways, incorporate the value of lived experience, and allow individuals to earn while they learn. The initiative includes pre-apprenticeship curricula and four apprenticeship career pathways.

NAWB’s partnership included:

  • Sharing information with local workforce development boards about DOL-approved Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the care economy
  • Connecting workforce boards with apprenticeship sponsors and participating employers
  • Researching and sharing best practices among workforce development boards addressing workforce needs in the care economy
  • Facilitating apprenticeship accelerator programs that brought together workforce boards, employers, community-based organizations, and education providers to develop new apprenticeship programs
  • Providing technical assistance to support the development, marketing, and implementation of apprenticeship programs

AACC Electric Vehicle (EV) Registered Apprenticeships

NAWB partnered with the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) on an Apprenticeship Building America initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Labor to strengthen, modernize, expand, and diversify Registered Apprenticeships in the electric vehicle (EV) mobility sector.

AACC works with public and private sector partners to provide technical assistance to community colleges and align workforce training strategies with regional labor market needs. These efforts bring together community colleges, economic development offices, workforce boards, employers, and other organizations to improve economic opportunity for businesses, workers, and communities.

NAWB supported this initiative by:

  • Surveying members on their experiences with registered apprenticeships in the EV sector and sharing these findings with the full membership
  • Connecting state and local workforce development boards with Registered Apprenticeship sponsors in the EV industry
  • Conducting site visits to local partnerships working to build and expand the EV workforce pipeline and sharing lessons learned with members
  • Developing strategies to collect and share data on workforce needs in the electric vehicle supply chain
  • Convening workforce boards to unpack labor market demand, explore work-based learning solutions in the EV mobility sector, and compete for a grant by pitching innovative EV apprenticeship ideas to implement in their home areas. 
  • Assessing the labor market in the EV mobility sector to understand labor market need vis-a-vis supply across seven subsectors.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment in youth development, peer support, and substance use disorder and mental health counseling occupations is projected to grow by approximately 16% between 2023 and 2033.

Apprenticeships in these professions provide accessible entry pathways, incorporate the value of lived experience, and allow individuals to earn while they learn. The initiative includes pre-apprenticeship curricula and four apprenticeship career pathways.

NAWB’s partnership included:

  • Sharing information with local workforce development boards about DOL-approved Registered Apprenticeship Programs in the care economy
  • Connecting workforce boards with apprenticeship sponsors and participating employers
  • Researching and sharing best practices among workforce development boards addressing workforce needs in the care economy
  • Facilitating apprenticeship accelerator programs that brought together workforce boards, employers, community-based organizations, and education providers to develop new apprenticeship programs
  • Providing technical assistance to support the development, marketing, and implementation of apprenticeship programs
Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network

Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network

NAWB served as a partner to the Interstate Renewable Energy Council to operate the Apprenticeships in Clean Energy (ACE) Network, a national coalition of industry, training, and workforce development leaders working to expand and diversify Registered Apprenticeship opportunities within the clean energy sector. 

Within the ACE Network, NAWB played several important roles, including:

  • Sharing information about how workforce development boards support the development and expansion of talent pipelines in the clean energy sector
  • Surveying local workforce development boards to identify their engagement and activities in the clean energy workforce ecosystem
  • Connecting clean energy employers and industry associations with local workforce development boards
  • Sharing information with WDBs on apprenticeship sponsors, funding opportunities, and potential partnerships