SEPTEMBER 2026 - LABOR DAY EDITION
As our nation celebrated Labor Day 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) was hard at work supporting America's workers and employers. As part of this essential work, there have been many important actions taken to expand and strengthen the National Apprenticeship System. In recognition of Labor Day, DOL issued a press release highlighting agency-wide initiatives supporting American workers, job creators and retirees. DOL also launched a Labor Day 2026 website which highlights several Administration priorities and accomplishments, with Registered Apprenticeship being a key feature.
Below you will find updates about new policy guidance just announced as well as a useful training resource available on Apprenticeship.gov. This newsletter will also recap National Apprenticeship Week 2026 and share how you can begin your planning for National Apprenticeship Week 2027!
On September 8, 2026, DOL issued two new guidance documents aimed at expanding and modernizing the National Apprenticeship System: (1) Training and Employment Notice (, Framework for Effective Pre-Apprenticeships; and (2) Office of Apprenticeship (OA) Circular (, Opportunities and Flexibilities for Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors to Utilize Workforce Pell. These documents give states, employers, training providers, and education partners clear, actionable steps to better serve jobseekers and employers alike, reinforcing DOL's commitment to strengthening career pathways for American workers.
Pre-Apprenticeships
Developed in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education, the Employment and Training Administration's (ETA) new Pre-Apprenticeship Framework builds a shared understanding of pre-apprenticeship programs and their connection to Registered Apprenticeship. It offers states, employers, and training providers guidance for creating clearly defined on-ramps from pre-apprenticeship into Registered Apprenticeship -- supporting the Trump Administration's commitment to preparing American workers for high-demand, high-paying careers.
This framework for effective pre-apprenticeships centers on five core components: (1) direct pathways into Registered Apprenticeship through strong partnerships with Registered Apprenticeship sponsors and employers; (2) industry-driven training and curriculum aligned to Registered Apprenticeship standards; (3) hands-on, work-based learning and career exposure; (4) broad workforce and education partnerships to expand access and leverage available resources; and (5) outcomes tracking and continuous improvement. Together, these five components provide a blueprint for strengthening pre-apprenticeship programs and career outcomes for American workers.
Workforce Pell and Registered Apprenticeship
The Workforce Pell Circular provides guidance on how the workforce system can utilize Workforce Pell to support Registered Apprenticeship. Established by President Trump's Working Families Tax Cuts Act, Workforce Pell expands Pell Grant eligibility to students in eligible, high-quality, short-term workforce programs. The new benefit creates opportunities to strengthen connections between education and training, Registered Apprenticeship and the needs of American employers. The guidance highlights how workers can pursue short-term training that connects to Registered Apprenticeship, how employers and sponsors can build vibrant partnerships with education providers, how colleges can link eligible programs to related instruction, and how states can better align training with high-skill, high-wage, in-demand occupations.
The Workforce Pell Circular provides information to Registration Agencies, Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors, employers, education providers and workforce partners on the intersection of Workforce Pell and the National Apprenticeship System. By better understanding where Workforce Pell and Registered Apprenticeship intersect, workers and employers can benefit from more robust pathways that connect education, skills development and employment.
These new pre-apprenticeship and Workforce Pell guidance documents continue to advance DOL's work toward President Trump's Executive Order goal of 1 million active apprentices.
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DOL's Office of Apprenticeship would like to thank everyone who hosted or participated in an event, issued a proclamation, or helped spread the word for National Apprenticeship Week 2026, which took place from April 26 through May 2 of this year. There were over 3,064 apprenticeship events and proclamations across the country! Many thanks to those of you who hosted events and shared pictures and event highlights. Check out the recently published NAW 2026 Report as you begin to think about ideas for National Apprenticeship Week 2027. We encourage you to share the report broadly with your networks.
Now that National Apprenticeship Week 2026 has concluded, here at DOL we’re already planning next year’s celebration to keep the momentum going. We hope you will join us to celebrate NAW 2027, which will take place April 25 – May 1, 2027. It's never too early to start planning for NAW. Mark your calendars and check the NAW website for updates.
OA RELEASES REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP 101 TRAINING MODULE FOR THE PUBLIC
OA recently released a new course through the Registered Apprenticeship Academy, Registered Apprenticeship 101: Tools and Steps to Build and Sustain RA Programs. This foundational course introduces the value and structure of Registered Apprenticeship and the National Apprenticeship System as a workforce development strategy and its benefits for employers, workers, and partners. It provides key concepts, tools, processes, and practical considerations involved in developing, supporting, and promoting Registered Apprenticeship.
The course is designed for Sponsors, Registration Agencies, Federally Funded Investment Partner / DOL-Funded Investment Partners, Federal Partners, Workforce Partners, Education Partners, or anyone new to or seeking to improve their knowledge of Registered Apprenticeship. It offers a broad, introductory overview of Registered Apprenticeship and includes customized interactions that provide specific information for individual needs. Also, the course identifies actionable steps to start and support programs.
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