U.S. Labor Department to Partner with Colorado and Alabama on Apprenticeships

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) plans to announce a partnership with Colorado and Alabama aimed at expanding registered apprenticeship programs.

Both states have received $12.5 million in funding from the DOL. This investment enables them to develop resources and improve educational pathways, making apprenticeship opportunities more accessible for young individuals. The new cooperative agreements aim to streamline the registration process for apprenticeship programs and enhance skill training accessibility.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer highlighted the importance of federal and state collaboration for the growth of the registered apprenticeship system. She stated, “To re-skill America, we are following President Trump’s instructions to ensure we can achieve our goal of 1 million new apprenticeships nationwide to provide more resources at the local level.”

Chavez-Deremer further explained that this partnership would allow more young people to engage in registered apprenticeships, creating a clearer pathway for businesses to develop the talent they need.

As part of the agreement with Alabama, the Alabama Commission on Higher Education will help facilitate enrollment in new apprenticeship programs while also reducing initial startup costs. The agreement with Colorado focuses on developing new tools and resources to expand apprenticeship opportunities further.

The Trump administration is actively working to increase the number of registered apprenticeships this year, with a goal of achieving at least 1 million active new apprentices. Since Trump’s presidency began, over 134,000 new apprentices have been registered nationwide.

In April, the president signed an order aimed at preparing Americans for high-paying skilled trade jobs and aimed to “fully protect and strengthen” existing registered apprenticeship programs.