U.S. Department of Labor
Employment & Training Administration
Graphical Version
Apprentices and Participation Trends
- In FY 2007, more than 212,000 individuals entered the apprenticeship system.
- Nationwide, there are more than 468,000 apprentices currently obtaining the skills they need to succeed while earning the wages they need to build financial security.
- In FY 2007, nearly 35,300 graduated from the apprenticeship system.
Apprenticeship Sponsors and Trends
- There are approximately 28,000 registered apprenticeship programs across the nation.
- In FY 2007, 3,253 new apprenticeship programs were established nationwide. Building on the foundation set by traditional partner industries such as
Construction and Manufacturing, 716 of these programs were for other in-demand occupations.
Public-Private Investment and Partnerships
- The federal government invests $21 million annually in the apprenticeship system.
- Apprenticeship sponsors pay most of the training costs. Apprentices' wages increase as their skill and productivity levels increase.
- The Construction industry contributes an estimated $250 million annually to support apprenticeship in the industry.
- In recent years, new apprenticeship partnerships have been formed with companies such as UPS which registered over 18,700 new apprentices during FY 2007.
- Currently, there are hundreds of academic partnerships with two- and four-year colleges that offer Associate's and Bachelor's degrees in conjunction with apprenticeship certificates.
Operation
- Apprenticeship programs are operated by both the public and private sectors. Apprenticeship sponsors, who are employers, employer associations and labor-management organizations, register programs with federal and state government agencies. Sponsors provide on-the-job learning and academic instruction to apprentices according to their industry standards and licensing requirements.
Program Dividends
- Because apprentices pay income taxes on their wages, it is estimated that every dollar the federal government invests in apprenticeship yields more than $100 in revenues.
