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News Release

US Labor Department announces $10.4M in grants to expand, expedite apprenticeships in 51 states and territories, and District of Columbia

Part of $90M in apprenticeship funds to further growth of apprenticeships nationwide

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $10.4 million in ApprenticeshipUSA State Accelerator Grants to expand and expedite registered apprenticeship programs nationwide.

The grants – awarded to 51 states and territories, and the District of Columbia – are part of $90 million in funding announced in April to expand apprenticeship in the U.S. The recipients announced today will each receive $200,000 to help integrate apprenticeship into their education and workforce systems; engage industry and other partners to expand apprenticeship to new sectors and new populations at scale; conduct outreach and work with employers to start new programs; promote greater inclusion and diversity in apprenticeship, and implement state incentives and system reforms.

"There is a bright future for apprenticeship in America," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez in announcing the grants during a visit to Milwaukee Area Technical College today. "The investments that we're making today and in the weeks and months to come are about giving apprenticeship the greater stature it deserves, helping more employers get the talent they need and helping more workers punch their ticket to the middle class."

These grants are part of ApprenticeshipUSA, the department's coordinated effort with industry and education leaders, nonprofits, and local governments to highlight the benefits of apprenticeship and expand the use of this time-tested, earn-while-you-learn model.

In the coming weeks, the department will announce the availability of an additional $50 million in State Expansion Grants for those looking to expand their capacity to collaborate with employers and start new apprenticeship programs across diverse industries and communities.

These investments are part of a historic bipartisan Congressional effort to appropriate funds specifically for apprenticeship for the first time, and align with President Obama's bold challenge to double and diversify the number of apprenticeships by 2019.

Apprenticeships are a proven path to high quality, secure middle-class jobs. In fact, 87 percent of apprentices are employed after completing their programs, with an average starting wage above $50,000 per year. The return on investment for employers is substantial, as studies indicate that for every dollar spent on apprenticeship, employers receive average of $1.47 return in increased productivity, reduced waste and greater front-line innovation.

For more information on the department's efforts to expand apprenticeship, visit www.dol.gov/apprenticeship/.

A list of grant recipients follows.

State

Grant Recipient

AK

Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development

AL

Alabama Department of Commerce

AR

Arkansas Department of Workforce Services

AZ

Arizona Department of Economic Security

CA

California Employment Development Department

CO

Colorado Department of Labor & Employment

CT

Connecticut Department of Labor

DC

District of Columbia Department of Employment Services

DE

Delaware Department of Labor

FL

Florida Department of Education

GU

Government of Guam Department of Labor

HI

Hawaii Department of Labor and Industrial Relations

IA

Iowa Workforce Development

ID

Idaho Department of Labor

IL

Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity

IN

Indiana Department of Workforce Development

KS

Kansas Department of Commerce

KY

Kentucky Labor Cabinet

LA

Louisiana Workforce Commission

MA

Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development

MD

Maryland Department of Labor  Licensing and Regulation

ME

Maine Department of Labor

MI

Michigan Workforce Development Agency

MN

Minnesota Department Labor and Industry

MO

Missouri Division of Workforce Development

MS

Mississippi Department of Employment Security

MT

Montana Department of Labor and Industry

NC

North Carolina Department of Commerce - Division of Workforce Solutions

ND

North Dakota Job Service

NE

Nebraska Department of Labor

NH

New Hampshire Community College System

NJ

New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development

NM

New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions

NV

Nevada Department of Employment Training and Rehabilitation

NY

New York State Department of Labor

OH

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services

OK

Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City

OR

Oregon Employment Department

PA

Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry

PR

Commonwealth of Puerto Rico Department of Labor and Human Resources

RI

Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training

SC

South Carolina State Board for Technical and Comprehensive Education

SD

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation

TN

Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development

TX

Texas Workforce Commission

UT

Utah Department of Workforce Services

VA

Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development

VI

U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Labor

VT

Vermont Department of Labor

WA

Washington State Department of Labor & Industries

WI

Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development

WV

West Virginia Department of Commerce

Agency
Employment and Training Administration
Date
June 2, 2016
Release Number
16-1141-NAT