Apprenticeships have helped build America from its early colonial beginning to the present day. Among the early apprentices who went on to national distinction were George Washington (surveyor), Benjamin Franklin (printer) and Paul Revere (Silversmith). Thousands of others - carpenters, masons, shipwrights - did their part in developing and supporting the economy of our young nation and making the United States what it is today.

The Apprenticeship Model Evolves

Wisconsin created the first state Registered Apprenticeship system in 1911, and in 1937 Congress enacted the National Apprenticeship Act (also known as the Fitzgerald Act), establishing the program as it is today. By the mid-1940s there were approximately 6,233 Registered Apprenticeship programs nationwide, educating and training 4,000 apprentices.

Following the passage of the act, Registered Apprenticeship programs consisted mainly of the manufacturing, construction and utilities industries. Following World War II, Registered Apprenticeship began to expand into training of firefighters, police, emergency medical technicians, and other health and safety workers.

Apprenticeship Today

In 2007, Registered Apprenticeship proudly celebrated its 70th anniversary. At no time during Registered Apprenticeship’s first 70 years has the role of talent been more critical to an employer, a community, a state or a nation’s ability to compete economically. As the need for skilled workers increases and our economy faces greater global competition, RA continues to be a competitive advantage for all parties-individuals, businesses, labor management organizations, education, the workforce investment system and government. For these reasons, ETA issued revised regulations that increase program flexibility to better serve the needs of today’s apprentices and program sponsors in the fall of 2008.

There are almost 29,000 Registered Apprenticeship programs providing education and training for approximately half a million apprentices in emerging and high-growth sectors such as energy conservation, health care and information technology, in addition to traditional industries such as manufacturing and construction.

The apprentices participating in these programs, and the knowledge and skills they are learning, are as diverse as the American population has become since our country was founded more than 200 years ago. New efforts and innovative program models are increasing Registered Apprenticeship’s ability to serve a range of populations, including women, disadvantaged populations, veterans and even the formerly incarcerated.