Apprenticeship Funding Sources

Opportunities for Funding Apprenticeship Programs

The return on investment for apprenticeship has been shown to be as much as $1.44 for every dollar spent. Additional funding support can help get programs off the ground and sustain them.

The federal government has invested heavily in promoting and supporting registered apprenticeship. For all of the potential sources of funding below, the apprenticeship must be registered by either the state or federal approving agency. For more information on how to register your apprenticeship program, see our FAQs. Although starting a registered apprenticeship program does not guarantee that your agency will receive funding support, your program must be registered to be eligible for funding opportunities as they become available.

Local Workforce Development Boards

Local Workforce Development Boards (WDB) can facilitate partnerships between businesses and training providers, and provide information on training grants available in your area. They also receive funding through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). More information on WIOA can be found below.

Find your local WDB here:

https://www.careeronestop.org/LocalHelp/WorkforceDevelopment/find-workforce-development-boards.aspx

Connect With Awardees

Organizations currently funded by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to help promote and expand apprenticeship may be able to provide support for the cost of your apprenticeship program or help identify and access other sources of funding. This investment database is intended to be a resource to support engagement and awareness of apprenticeship investments. Please note that these investments are funded by the U.S. Department of Labor and their activities must align with their funded statements of work.

Awardee search:

https://www.apprenticeship.gov/investments-tax-credits-and-tuition-support/awardee-search

State DOL Apprenticeship Expansion Funds

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provides annual formula funding to 45 states and additional competitive funding to increase their ability to serve, improve and strategically expand their Registered Apprenticeship programs and pre-apprenticeships leading to Registered Apprenticeships to enhance the National Apprenticeship system. Although dependent on the details and goals of each state’s proposal, public transportation agencies may be able to access support for an apprenticeship program from their state DOL.

Registered Apprenticeship Industry Intermediaries

As partners of the U.S. Department of Labor’s (USDOL) Office of Apprenticeship (OA), Registered Apprenticeship Industry Intermediaries are integral stakeholders in the effort to expand the number of Registered Apprenticeship opportunities across industries throughout the U.S.. Organizations acting as Industry Intermediaries connect employers and labor organizations with workforce and education partners, and provide technical assistance to launch and expand Registered Apprenticeship (RA) programs. They can assist employers and partners by offsetting the costs of developing, launching, and sustaining RA programs.

Learn more here:

https://www.apprenticeship.gov/investments-tax-credits-and-tuition-support/registered-apprenticeship-industry-intermediaries

Apprenticeship Building America

The Apprenticeship Building America grant program advances US DOL’s efforts to expand and modernize Registered Apprenticeship by increasing the number of programs and apprentices, and industries that use Registered Apprenticeship and improving the access to and performance of Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

View awardee list:

https://www.apprenticeship.gov/investments-tax-credits-and-tuition-support/apprenticeship-building-america#awardee_list

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2014, which governs the publicly funded workforce development system in the United States, has the dual goals of helping job seekers find employment and helping employers find workers. Registered apprenticeship is a workforce development model that serves both goals. State and local workforce agencies receive WIOA Title I funds, which can be used to support workforce development strategies, including registered apprenticeship.

  • On-the-Job Training (OJT), a federal program funded by the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), lets you hire and train skilled workers and get reimbursed for your efforts. Staff at your local American Job Center (AJC) can help you determine your eligibility.
  • Local Workforce Development Boards can use as much a portion of their WIOA funds to support incumbent worker training costs.

Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E) Salary Reimbursement

Through the Special Employer Incentive program, employers may receive an incentive to hire Veterans facing extraordinary obstacles to employment, which includes reimbursement of as much as 50 percent of the Veteran’s salary for up to six months.

Find out more here:

https://www.benefits.va.gov/vocrehab/employers.asp

Perkins V

Perkins V is the core federal program supporting career and technical education (CTE), providing about $1.4 billion annually in state formula grants for CTE for both youth and adults. Perkins V dollars can be spent on: 1) RA programs, 2) RA components like related technical instruction (RTI) or on-the-job learning, and 3) RA prerequisites like pre-apprenticeships. This includes RA programs for high-school-age youth.

Find your state department of education here:

https://www2.ed.gov/about/contacts/state/index.html

Support for Apprentices

Apprenticeship is a great recruitment tool and can be enhanced by promoting opportunities for direct support to apprentices. Supplemental stipends and services can provide additional support for apprentices while they progress through the program.

Veterans benefits (SAA)

Veterans in an approved program can use their GI Bill benefit and receive a tax-free stipend. The Post-9/11 GI Bill stipend is the equivalent of the Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA) of an E-5 with dependents, which is paid in addition to the entry-level wage. The State Approving Agencies are responsible for approving apprenticeship programs in their respective states. Requirements generally entail submitting a training request form and the registered apprenticeship standards.

Learn more here:

https://benefits.va.gov/BENEFITS/factsheets/education/OJT.pdf

Find your State Approving Agency here:

https://nasaa-vetseducation.com/nasaa-contacts/

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA)

WIOA funding can help provide supportive services necessary to enable individuals to successfully participate in apprenticeship programs.

To find out more about WIOA Title IB programs in your state or county, visit CareerOneStop to locate the Workforce Development Board and American Job Center near you.