Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship programs continue to grow in popularity as North America confronts a significant skills shortage and the increasing cost of postsecondary education. Look to these quick references as a support tool for apprenticeship program coordinators, trustees and directors.
Institute for Apprenticeship, Training and Education Programs
As we emerge from the pandemic, demand for skilled workers continues to increase throughout North America, partly due to a focus on infrastructure investment and workforce development initiatives. At the same time, the high cost of postsecondary education and rising student loan debt are driving conversations about alternative pathways to prosperity. In this environment, the outlook for a career in the trades has never been brighter. But challenges remain for those who manage apprenticeship programs.
More Information
Financial Skills for Life
Young workers have a lot to learn. Not only are they acquiring new job skills, but it may be the first time many of them have been offered benefits or earned a substantial paycheck. This approachable online course will help new workers build solid personal finances. It highlights the issues they should consider as they are getting started in their jobs and provides helpful tools for the future.
Learn More
Apprenticeship Program Answer Guide
This online resource is designed to be a quick reference for apprenticeship program coordinators, trustees and directors, and other interested constituents whenever a question arises. With a focus on practicality, the guide addresses apprenticeship program topics from top to bottom, with subjects ranging from recruiting to audits to trends and more. Looking for a specific question? Access the Guide outline here.
Learn More
Top Trends in Apprenticeship Programs 2024 Survey Report (U.S. and Canada)
The Foundation has conducted a biennial survey of training programs across the U.S. and Canada since 2010. The 2024 edition of the survey examines the challenges faced by programs and apprentices, recruitment and retention initiatives, life skills initiatives, program marketing strategies, and the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorder issues within apprenticeship programs as well as the support available to current apprentices.
View ReportUnited States
-
ApprenticeshipUSA
- ApprenticeshipUSA National Apprenticeship Week
- ApprenticeshipUSA Partner Finder/Sponsors Website
- ApprenticeshipUSA Regional Office Contact Information
- ApprenticeshipUSA State Apprenticeship Agencies Contact Information
- US Department of Labor
- US Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration
- US Department of Labor Blog - Apprenticeship
Provincial/Territorial Apprenticeship Sites
- Alberta—Apprenticeship and Industry Training
- Manitoba—Apprenticeship Manitoba
- New Brunswick—Skilled Trades NB
- Newfoundland and Labrador—Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division
- Northwest Territories—Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Program
- Nova Scotia—Apprenticeship Agency
- Nunavut—Apprenticeship Trade and Occupations Certification
- Ontario—Employment Ontario
- Prince Edward Island—Apprenticeship Training and Certification
- Quebec—Workplace Apprenticeship
- Saskatchewan—Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
- Yukon—Apprentices & Trades
Articles
Equipped to Help: Workplace Training on Suicide Prevention and Intervention (Benefits Magazine, January/February 2026)
Workplaces can be a powerful setting for suicide prevention strategies since most adults interact with work. How can benefit professionals, health trust administrators and workforce leaders create an effective prevention strategy? By using gatekeepers, community helpers, and employee assistance programs to help connect workers to support services.
Growing and Diversifying Apprenticeships: A Partnership Approach to English Language Instruction (Benefits Magazine, May/June 2025)
An international union has found success in offering community classes, pre-apprenticeships and adapted apprenticeship programs that integrate English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) instruction. What are some strategies for developing a successful program? They include collaborating with both internal and external partners, accommodating worker needs and challenges, and designing curriculum around workers’ and supervisors’ priorities.
What's Working: Heavy Metal Summer Experience (Plans & Trusts May/June 2025)
Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) is a nonprofit organization that provides union contractors and apprenticeship programs in the United States and Canada with program design and tools to run their own programs. The camps focus on the sheet metal, plumbing and pipefitting, and electrical trades. What does the program provide to unions? It's an opportunity to get young people excited about working in the trades, provide hands-on experience, and make career connections.
More articles available in Benefits Knowledge Center
Additional Resources
- Legislative Tracker (U.S.)
- Regulatory Updates (U.S. and Canada)
- Canadian Legislative Scorecard
- Sample Documents (U.S. and Canada)
- Chapter 25 - Apprenticeship and Training Funds, from the Trustee Handbook: A Guide to Labor-Management Employee Benefit Plans (8th edition)
- Opportunities for Connecting Secondary Career and Technical Education (CTE) Students and Apprenticeship Programs (U.S. Department of Education, June 2017)
- Promoting Worker Mental Health and Well-being - Mental Health Training Module for Plan Sponsors (U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship's Registered Apprenticeship Academy, August 2024)
- Prioritizing Your Mental Health and Well-being - Mental Health Training Module for Apprentices (U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Apprenticeship's Registered Apprenticeship Academy, August 2024)
Podcasts
Videos
Ask a Benefits Question
Not finding what you're looking for? We'll do the digging for you on any benefits-related topic.
Reach out to an Information Specialist today.