- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
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Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications
BOSTON — Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones represented the Healey-Driscoll Administration today at the American Swiss Foundation’s Innovation Forum, where she joined the American Swiss Foundation to co-host workforce development leaders from across the country. At the forum, Secretary Jones delivered a keynote address on the future of work and highlighted the Administration’s investments in Registered Apprenticeship, a proven workforce strategy that combines technical and on-the-job training, provides industry-recognized credentials, and increases access to progressive wage increases and good-paying jobs.
As part of her remarks, Secretary Jones announced Massachusetts has surpassed 10,000 registered apprentices hired since January 2023 and emphasized the Administration’s commitment to expanding Registered Apprenticeship for in-demand and expansion industries such as life sciences, early education, and health care. The 1010,000th apprentice was recently registered through IBEW Local 103 electrician program.
“Massachusetts has long been a hub of innovation, and we’re channeling that same spirit into how we grow Registered Apprenticeship and strengthen our economic competitiveness,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Surpassing 10,000 registered apprentices is an incredible milestone that reflects our commitment to leveraging apprenticeship as a resource to meet employers’ needs today while building a strong talent pipeline for the future.”
“Registered Apprenticeship is a powerful workforce development strategy that helps employers close skills gaps while providing individuals with a pathway to good-paying careers,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “We’re excited to continue building on this progress as we grow Registered Apprenticeship.”
As part of the milestone announcement, Secretary Jones highlighted the new Apprenticeship Registration System launched by the Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS). The new system will provide Registered Apprenticeship sponsors with an improved user-friendly interface featuring customized dashboards specific to their apprenticeship program, enhanced reporting capability, mobile accessibility, automated workflows, making apprentice identification cards electronic, and bulk upload processes.
“It is an honor to co-host this convening in collaboration with the American Swiss Foundation, bringing together peers from across the country as states like Massachusetts increase registered apprenticeship as a workforce strategy,” said Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Lauren Jones. “The Swiss, among other European countries, have long incorporated apprenticeship in their education and workforce systems, demonstrating apprenticeship as a proven strategy across a range of industries to start and grow a career.”
Secretary Jones participated in the American Swiss Foundation’s Young Leaders Cohort in 2017. Today’s forum featured other alumni of past cohorts. Following the forum, Jones and 15 other secretaries, commissioners, and state workforce leaders kicked off a one-year fellowship with the Foundation to share best practices in promoting and implementing registered apprenticeship.
“The Swiss tradition of skilled apprenticeship runs deeps. Here in Massachusetts, we’re building on this proven workforce model in new and innovative ways,” said Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler. “That includes expanding access, removing barriers and streamlining the registration system. We’re excited to share what is happening here in the Commonwealth and learn from others.”
"The American Swiss Foundation’s inaugural Innovation Forum in Boston reflects our mission to connect and engage leaders from Switzerland and the United States”, said Chair of the American Swiss Foundation Robert J. Giuffra, Jr. “We are delighted to bring together top leaders from government, business, and academia to exchange ideas about the future of work. Today, we are proud to launch our year-long Innovation Fellowship with a distinguished group of seventeen state secretaries and commissioners of labor—representing states from Maine to Louisiana and Montana to Hawaii—continuing our tradition of fostering transatlantic dialogue and developing practical solutions to shared workforce challenges, while incorporating best practices from Switzerland’s world-renowned apprenticeship system."
Last month, Massachusetts won $6 million from the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) to support the Registered Apprenticeship program. Of that, $5 million will expand early childhood education apprenticeships, supporting 275 new early childhood educators. The competitive grant is the largest grant the apprenticeship program has received to date. DAS will engage with projects that seek to provide incentive funding to new and existing employers to rapidly scale early childhood education Registered Apprenticeship Programs, as well as create a Technical Assistance Hub for early childhood education apprenticeships. Additionally, identified projects will partner with Massachusetts community colleges to develop an early childhood education pre-apprenticeship program for high school students.
Massachusetts is recognized in scaling apprenticeship as an innovative workforce strategy in expansion industries, and the Healey-Driscoll Administration has prioritized registered apprenticeship to address the state’s ongoing need for skilled labor and build a robust talent pipeline for future workforce needs. The investments not only support the immediate needs of employers, but also foster long-term economic growth by providing individuals with the skills necessary for high-demand occupations.
“Apprenticeship is a tried-and-true workforce development model”, said Division of Apprentice Standards Director Lara Thomas. “We have been able to build on its centuries-long success in the construction trades and make it available to many more employers in a wide variety of sectors.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration’s efforts include expanding apprenticeships in fields such as education, healthcare, manufacturing, clean energy, and life sciences. As a result of these, since January 2023, the Division of Apprentice Standards has:
- Leveraged state and federal funds to award more than $10 million in apprenticeship grants.
- Registered more than 10,000 apprentices
- Registered 1,927 new apprentices in expanded industries
- Registered 269 new apprenticeship programs
- Expanded registered apprenticeship tax credit (RATC) to industries like early education, and clean energy and approved $480,000 in registered apprenticeship tax credits to employers who hired 100 apprentices, more than double the number in previous years
- Reestablished the Apprenticeship Council
Statements of Support:
Senator Jacob Oliveira, Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development: "Apprenticeships are one of the smartest investments we can make in our workforce and our economy. By pairing classroom learning with hands-on experience, we're helping people build real skills, earn good wages, and fill the critical jobs that keep Massachusetts growing. Reaching over 10,000 registered apprentices shows what's possible when government, business, and education work together to open doors of opportunity."
Representative Paul McMurtry, House Chair – Committee on Labor & Workforce Development: Registered Apprenticeship Programs set a foundation for success - opening doors for individuals to earn while they learn and helping employers meet the demand for skilled workers“ said Representative Paul McMurtry, House Chair of the Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development. “I commend the Healey-Driscoll Administration and Secretary Jones for their leadership in expanding apprenticeship opportunities across the Commonwealth and ensuring that residents in every community can access pathways to life-changing careers.
Chrissy Lynch, President of Massachusetts AFL-CIO: “Registered Apprenticeship is the best way to help workers build not just jobs but family sustaining careers with lifelong learning. We know firsthand how registered apprenticeship has thrived in the trades, ensuring a steady flow of the most highly trained workforce available, and we applaud the Healey-Driscoll Administration’s commitment to expanding this proven model to more industries.”
Lou Antonellis, Business Manager of IBEW Local 103: “Apprenticeship is the foundation of everything we do at IBEW Local 103. Our program not only produces world-class electricians and technicians, it provides real opportunity for people from every background to build a career, not just a job. We’re proud that the Commonwealth continues to invest in Registered Apprenticeship, and we’re honored that our program helped Massachusetts reach this 10,000-apprentice milestone. This is what partnership between labor, management, and government looks like when it’s done right.”
Frank Callahan, President of the Massachusetts Building Trades Union: “Working together with the Healey-Driscoll Administration, we have been able to expand apprenticeship opportunities in construction unions, providing middle class careers, paying family sustaining wages with first class healthcare and pensions.”
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