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Acting Secretary Keith Sonderling kicked off this year’s celebration with a NAW welcome video emphasizing how across our great nation, thousands of events would be taking pace, with each event speaking to the power of Registered Apprenticeships to equip Americans with skills needed for in-demand jobs. The Department also issued a news release that highlighted the many events planned and encouraged people to get involved across the country. Additionally, the Department issued a wrap-up blog after NAW had concluded.
NAW 2026 EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
On Monday, DOL kicked off the 12th Annual National Apprenticeship Week with a large National Signing Day Ceremony Event to publicly recognize and celebrate the commitment to building skilled talent pipelines through Registered Apprenticeship demonstrated by a group of major employers. The employers were representative of multiple industry sectors: U.S. Department of War (public sector), Amcor Global Rigid Packaging Solutions, Inc. (advanced manufacturing), AstraZeneca (pharmaceuticals), and Job Forward (technology), joined by partners IBM and M&T Bank. The Department of War, the sponsor with the largest Registered Apprenticeship program in the country, USMAP which is for active-duty service members, launched its first Civilian Registered Apprenticeship program, creating opportunities for many for Federal staff across the War Department.
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On Tuesday, DOL convened a cross-section of industry association leaders – from advanced manufacturing to healthcare technology – to highlight the importance of industry associations in expanding effective Registered Apprenticeships. Assistant Secretary Mack facilitated a panel discussion with representatives from leading industry associations that sponsor Registered Apprenticeships and are successfully scaling it in their respective industries. This was followed by a roundtable discussion where all attendees explored how Registered Apprenticeship benefits their members, adapts to technological changes, and helps grow talent for their entire industry.
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For the third day of NAW 2026, the Department hosted a hybrid event entitled “Building the AI-Ready Workforce through Registered Apprenticeship” at the Department of Labor Francis Perkins Building to showcase how DOL is working with industry partners to accelerate innovation and Make America AI-Ready through Registered Apprenticeship. As part of this event, DOL announced the launch of its AI in Registered Apprenticeship Innovation Portal, a one-stop resource for organizations looking to build artificial intelligence literacy and develop AI-focused Registered Apprenticeship programs. The website provides practical tools and actionable guidance to help organizations integrate artificial intelligence skills into Registered Apprenticeship programs through skill-building resources, industry-specific training, and flexible program pathways.
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On Thursday, the U.S. Departments of Labor and Education hosted a discussion with community colleges, universities, and workforce-development leaders to spotlight and accelerate the expansion of degree-connected Registered Apprenticeships across the country. Remarks shared with attendees underscored degree-connected Registered Apprenticeships as earn-and-learn pathways that can deliver postsecondary credentials and credits while also meeting employer demand.
If you hosted an activity during National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we want to hear from you. Please share your events highlights by completing this form, and don’t forget to share your event and pictures on your social media platforms using #NAW2026. We look forward to celebrating NAW 2027 with you next year, April 25 – May 1, 2027!
To learn more about National Apprenticeship Week, please visit Apprenticeship.gov/NAW or email NationalApprenticeshipWeek@dol.gov if you have any questions or need additional support.
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