- Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development
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Matthew Kitsos, Deputy Chief of Staff & Director of Communications
Boston — Building off the momentum from Massachusetts Registered Apprenticeship Week, the Healey-Driscoll Administration today announced the Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development’s Division of Apprentice Standards (DAS) has been awarded a $200,000 grant and selected to participate in the “Apprenticeship America” cohort through the Future Ready Apprenticeship Center. The Center is a national hub supporting states to strengthen and scale Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for youth ages 16-24.
The Future Ready Apprenticeship Center serves as a national hub supporting states in scaling high-quality youth apprenticeship programs that connect young people to career pathways in high-demand industries. Massachusetts was selected through a competitive process alongside nine other states and recognized for its bold goal of adding 100,000 new apprentices by 2036.
Since January 2023, the Healey-Driscoll Administration has awarded $13.5 million in Registered Apprenticeship GROW grants. Registered Apprenticeship provides individuals with paid work experience including classroom instruction and on-the-job training combined with securing nationally recognized credentials, progressive wage increases, and economic mobility and advancement.
“We’re thinking big about the future of Massachusetts’ workforce. That’s why I set a goal to add 100,000 apprentices across our state over the next decade,” said Governor Maura Healey. “Registered apprenticeships open doors to good-paying careers, strengthen our workforce pipeline and help employers hire the skilled workers they need to grow and compete. Through the ‘Apprenticeship America’ initiative, we’re expanding opportunities for young people and continuing to invest in the talent that will drive Massachusetts forward for years to come.”
“Making Massachusetts more affordable and competitive is what this administration is focused on every day,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll. “Apprenticeship programs help businesses grow while opening doors for young people to gain valuable skills, earn income and build careers. This initiative will help Massachusetts continue expanding apprenticeship opportunities into more industries and communities across the state.”
Massachusetts was selected through a competitive process to join 9 other states and was highlighted for its bold goal of adding 100,000 new apprentices by 2036. “Apprenticeship America” states will receive comprehensive services, including expert-led strategic consulting, national infrastructure toolkits, systemic problem solving, and $200,000 funding to support its efforts.
“The inclusion of Massachusetts in this program reflects our administration’s continued efforts to expand registered apprenticeship and demonstrate how this strategy is an effective pathway for young talent and for employers to build their workforce,” said Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Lauren Jones. “We look forward to participating in this program as we stay focused on connecting talent to early careers through Registered Apprenticeship, promoting this hiring model as an effective strategy for employers, and supporting the state’s economic competitiveness.”
The Healey-Driscoll Administration is focused on making Massachusetts more affordable and competitive for employers. As part of its efforts, in January, the administration lowered the annual program fee for Registered Apprenticeship sponsors from $300 to $250 and also expanded eligibility for the Registered Apprenticeship Tax Credit to include occupations featuring AI-related credentials, defense manufacturing, and additional manufacturing occupations. In 2025, DAS approved $988,800 in registered apprenticeship tax credits to 50 employers who hired 206 apprentices, more than double the number in previous years.
By focusing on youth and young adults ages 16 to 24 years old, the “Apprenticeship America” initiative also builds on the administration’s focus on youth employment. In April, EOLWD launched the Youth Employment and Skills (YES) initiative, designed to connect employers with opportunities to support youth employment and skills development across Massachusetts.
“We are proud to be one of just ten states selected for this competitive grant,” said Undersecretary of Labor Josh Cutler. “This investment will help us expand youth apprenticeship opportunities across Massachusetts.”
“This grant will allow Massachusetts to support and develop a statewide strategy and implementation plan that strengthens cross-sector coordination and scales youth apprenticeship across the Commonwealth,” said Director of the Division of Apprentice Standards Lara Thomas.
Statements of Support
CEO of CareerWise Brent Parton:
“Massachusetts is leading the way in workforce development for the country with its bold goal of creating 100,000 new apprenticeships over the next decade. Industry-led apprenticeship systems are a crucial investment to meet the talent needs of growing sectors across the state and provide pathways for upward economic mobility for young people. We look forward to supporting State leadership in its efforts to build a prepared, skilled, and resilient future workforce.”
American Federation of Teachers President Jessica Tang:
"With educators and staff working in seven vocational technical schools plus 16 districts with established career pathway programming, the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts is committed to ensuring our students are equipped with the skills, knowledge, and hands-on experiences they need to be successful inside and outside of the classroom. Together, these programs serve thousands of students in regions across the Commonwealth. We are proud to partner with the Healey-Driscoll Administration in our work to expand access to current vocational programs and workforce pathways as a way to ensure we are providing students with the type of high quality education they deserve and access to careers they might not otherwise be exposed to, while also supporting the local, regional, and state economy for decades to come."
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