Join NLC and the U.S. Department of Labor as we celebrate National Apprenticeship Day on April 30, 2025!
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is an annual celebration of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs), an evidence-based workforce development strategy that has grown by over 50 percent in the last decade in the United States, rising from 360,000 in 2015 to 667,000 in 2024. RAPs generate great value, producing $44.30 in benefits for every dollar (PDF) invested by an employer. This celebration gathers employers, education and training providers, jobseekers and local leaders across the country to showcase the tremendous growth and value of Registered Apprenticeship Programs in cities, towns, and villages across the country.
Local governments are often the largest employers in their communities, employing over 6.8 million workers (excluding schools). However, municipalities experience various workforce challenges, including competition for talent, arduous hiring processes and problems finding qualified candidates. Local governments need an average of 130 days to find qualified candidates to fill open positions, compared to 36 days in the private sector, which can disrupt critical services that residents rely on each day such as public transit and public works. State and local government HR managers have even reported having to frequently reopen positions because of a lack of qualified candidates. Local leaders have the opportunity to develop skilled talent and strengthen pathways into high-quality public sector careers through Registered Apprenticeships.
Interested in learning more about how Registered Apprenticeship Programs can help your city fill critical municipal roles? In partnership with the American Institutes for Research (AIR), NLC is offering technical assistance to cities curious about and implementing Apprenticeship Programs as a local workforce development strategy. NLC and AIR will offer coaching and tools to help cities partner with local apprenticeship intermediaries and/or develop new Registered Apprenticeship Programs.
Ready to take action? Be sure to submit your proclamations, events and local actions to the Department of Labor so that they can amplify and share your work with others. Use the hashtags #NAWDay2025, #NationalApprenticeshipDay2025 and #ApprenticeshipUSA on social media posts. You can also get inspiration from the NAW 2025 Event and Proclamation Resources! To learn more or to engage with NLC on this topic, send us an email.
Are Apprenticeships Right for Your City?
Apprenticeships for Cities may be a great opportunity if your city is new to apprenticeship programs, interested in potentially working with an Apprenticeship Intermediary, already employing trainees in an apprenticeship-like program and/or interested in scaling your existing efforts.
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