Press Release  Governor Healey Sets Goal of Registering 100,000 Apprentices by 2036

Boston — In her third State of the Commonwealth address, Governor Maura Healey set a new goal of registering 100,000 new apprentices in 10 years in fields such as construction, health care, tech, advanced manufacturing and education. In just over two years, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has registered 10,000 apprentices, delivering technical and on-the-job training in key industries, opening the door to a family-sustaining career while also ensuring the state has a well-trained workforce to meet the needs of employers.

“We are opening the doors to these jobs through apprenticeships,” said Governor Healey. “This is paid, hands-on training and a direct path to a great career. Thanks, by the way, to the Labor Movement, for creating this. We’re investing in it. Over the next 10 years, we’re going to have 100,000 apprentices. They are in the Building Trades – and also in nursing, early ed, technology – wherever talent is needed. We’ll get more people into great careers – and a workforce that meets the needs of our businesses.”

The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to expanding apprenticeship, investing nearly $14 million since January 2023 to train and place apprentices and pre-apprentices in the construction and building trades in Massachusetts and expanded industries. Additionally, Massachusetts was awarded $6 million from US Department of Labor to support Registered Apprenticeship and early childhood educator apprenticeships. 

Recently, the administration lowered the annual program fee for Registered Apprenticeship sponsors from $300 to $250 and expanded eligibility for the Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit (RATC) to include occupations featuring AI-related credentials, defense manufacturing, and additional manufacturing occupations. The Registered Apprentice Tax Credit supports the growth of registered apprenticeships in key Massachusetts industries, offering employers a refundable tax credit of up to $4,800 per qualified apprentice. Employers use the tax credit to hire apprentices in growing industries like clean energy, health care, and education. 

Major companies – like Hasbro, Lego, Transmedics, Alnylam – continue to choose Massachusetts to grow their businesses because of the state’s top-rated health care, schools and universities, the best research ecosystem in the world, and unmatched talent. Looking forward, Governor Healey is focused on strengthening Massachusetts’ foundations – research and science, defense technology, quantum and AI partnerships, climatetech. By fueling up job-creating engines like construction sites, classrooms, small businesses, everyone in Massachusetts will benefit. Governor Healey also took action last year to cut 25 percent of state regulations to save businesses time and money. 

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