.jpg)
Apprenticeships Gain Momentum as U.S. Manufacturers Seek Skilled Workers
Caleb Moss begins his workday long before sunrise twice a week. At 4:30 a.m., he clocks in at Virco Manufacturing, a company known for producing colorful plastic classroom furniture. Working in the tool-and-die department, Moss is learning how to shape steel into precision molds used throughout the factory.
By 9:00 a.m., he leaves the plant and heads to Pulaski Technical College in North Little Rock, Arkansas. There, his day continues with classes in mathematics and hands-on machining training using equipment similar to what he operates at work. Moss finishes his combined work-and-school schedule at 4:30 p.m., and importantly, he is paid for the hours spent in both places.
Moss is one of two Virco employees selected for a three-year apprenticeship program designed to train workers in specialized manufacturing skills. After spending a decade in entry-level roles such as shipping and receiving, he sees the opportunity as life-changing.
“I didn’t get the chance to go to school because I had kids early,” Moss explains. “This program lets me continue my education and build a better future while helping the company.”
A National Push for Apprenticeships
Programs like Moss’s are central to a broader workforce strategy promoted by the Trump administration. In April 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive order aiming to increase the number of active apprenticeships in the United States to 1 million, up from roughly 700,000.
The initiative builds on policies previously supported by earlier administrations, including that of former President Joe Biden. Registered apprenticeships combine structured classroom instruction with paid on-the-job training. Programs must meet federal standards, including specific training hours, formal mentorship, and gradually increasing wages for participants.
.jpg)
While countries such as Germany and Switzerland have long relied on this “earn while you learn” model across many industries, the approach historically has been concentrated mainly in construction trades in the United States. However, federal funding has helped expand apprenticeships significantly in recent years, particularly in fields like health care, information technology, and advanced manufacturing.
Supporters say expanding apprenticeship programs will be essential as the U.S. attempts to build new semiconductor plants, data centers, and infrastructure projects requiring highly skilled labor.
Questions About Funding and Commitment
Despite strong rhetoric, some workforce experts question whether enough resources are being allocated to meet the administration’s goal. Federal funding for apprenticeship programs has remained at about $285 million annually since 2023, and several contracts aimed at expanding apprenticeships in sectors such as clean energy have been canceled.
Advocates argue that achieving meaningful scale would require far greater investment. Some experts believe the U.S. should aim for as many as 4 million apprenticeships, closer to participation levels seen in leading apprenticeship-based economies.
Still, research suggests the programs deliver significant benefits. A 2022 study commissioned by the U.S. Department of Labor estimated that apprenticeships produce a 144% return on investment for employers through higher productivity and reduced employee turnover.
Arkansas at the Center of the Effort
One major initiative launched under the administration is the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, a $35.8 million program that provides financial incentives to employers. In a somewhat unexpected move, the Department of Labor selected the state of Arkansas to manage the nationwide program.
Manufacturers across the country can receive $3,500 for each new apprentice who completes the first 90 days of training. Although the payment covers only a small portion of apprenticeship costs, officials hope it will encourage companies to adopt the model.
Arkansas has experienced rapid growth in apprenticeships since 2019 after launching statewide initiatives to address skill shortages in fields such as IT, cybersecurity, and data analytics. Programs have since expanded into additional industries.
Helping Employers Navigate the System
One barrier to adoption has been the administrative complexity associated with federally registered apprenticeships. Many companies are reluctant to handle the paperwork, reporting requirements, and potential audits.
Organizations such as Apprenticely, a nonprofit based in Arkansas, help companies manage those responsibilities. Since 2019, the group has helped create roughly 2,500 apprenticeships by assisting employers with program design, compliance, and funding.
Advocates say apprenticeships are particularly valuable for workers who may not have formal degrees but possess strong practical skills and motivation.
Technology Driving New Training Needs
At Virco’s 1.2-million-square-foot manufacturing facility, new technology is transforming production. The factory now uses advanced robotics, automated welding systems, and sophisticated machinery.
But the upgrades have created a new challenge: finding workers who know how to operate and maintain this equipment.
Company leaders say the problem has been intensified by a wave of retirements, which has removed decades of accumulated expertise from the workforce. Apprenticeships provide a way to transfer knowledge and prepare employees to manage increasingly complex machinery.
After seeing early success with Moss’s training program, Virco plans to expand its apprenticeship efforts dramatically, creating 20 additional positions across the plant.
The Road to One Million
Government officials believe that if more companies follow Virco’s example, the country could eventually reach the administration’s target of one million apprenticeships.
However, experts caution that economic conditions could influence progress. Workforce training programs are often among the first expenses companies cut during downturns.
For now, supporters remain hopeful that expanding apprenticeship programs will help both workers and employers adapt to a rapidly changing economy—while providing opportunities for employees like Caleb Moss to build long-term careers in skilled trades.