Earn. Learn. Lead: The New Face of American Apprenticeships

In honor of National Apprenticeship Day, April 30th, we reflect on the enduring value of apprenticeship in the American workforce. Apprenticeships have deep roots in U.S. history, tracing back to colonial times when tradespeople trained the next generation through hands-on learning. Over centuries, this earn-and-learn model has evolved, serving as a cornerstone of skill development in fields from construction and manufacturing to, more recently, healthcare, finance, and technology. Today, apprenticeships are being reimagined to meet the talent needs of a modern economy while offering individuals, from youth to career changers, a clear, and debt-free path to rewarding careers.

A New Era for Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are shedding their old reputation as "the best kept secret" in workforce development and emerging as a mainstream pathway into high-paying careers. Across the United States, innovative apprenticeship programs are springing up in professional services, technology, finance, healthcare, and other fields not traditionally associated with "on-the-job training." From The White House to local community colleges, leaders are recognizing apprenticeships as a smart, inclusive strategy for closing skills gaps and launching people into promising careers, often without the crushing burden of student debt.

“We must break the old assumption that apprenticeships are only for the trades. They are proving valuable in technology, healthcare, finance and other sectors.”— Eric Seleznow, Senior Advisor, Jobs for the Future and former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training

Today, apprenticeships are proving essential in new sectors like insurance, accounting and robotics, and they are essential in all corners of America. According to Apprenticeships for America, at least 28 U.S. states have passed new laws in the last two years to expand apprenticeship access and encourage nontraditional models. The bipartisan enthusiasm is clear: during National Apprenticeship Week 2024, more than 1,580 events took place across the country, reflecting a groundswell of support from employers, educators, and policymakers.

Case Studies: Expanding Opportunities

Accounting and Finance

One standout example is the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), which in September 2024 launched a registered apprenticeship for accounting and finance associates. Open to candidates with just a high school diploma, the program blends on-the-job training and coursework to prepare apprentices for entry-level accounting roles. Joanne Fiore, AICPA’s vice president of Pipeline and Apprenticeships, called it a timely response to talent shortages in the profession. Apprentices earn while they learn, and employers benefit from a wider talent pipeline and stronger retention.

Financial Services and Insurance

Finance is another sector embracing apprenticeship. The Massachusetts Bankers Association recently celebrated its first cohort of credit analyst apprentices. Rather than completing a bachelor's degree, in finance, accounting, economics or business administration, these learners matriculate after only 150 hours of virtual instruction and 2,000 hours of on-the-job training under and experienced mentor. Allowing these young professionals to begin their career more quickly, and without the debt that often comes with a college degree.

Zurich North America pioneered the first U.S. insurance apprenticeship and now retains over 90% of its graduates. CEO Kristof Terryn sees apprenticeships as a way to improve workforce diversity and build long-term talent. "Apprenticeship is one of the best ways to bring in diversity and give people careers that actually last," he said.

Healthcare

Healthcare apprenticeships are also gaining ground. South Texas College recently launched a registered nursing apprenticeship where students split their time between coursework and paid clinical hours at local hospitals. It's a direct response to severe nursing shortages in the region, and an example of how apprenticeships can align educational access with employer demand. By earning $14 per hour during their clinical shifts, students no longer have to choose between work and school.

This program is just one of many that support the healthcare industry, with 2,281 Registered Nursing Apprentices in 2024 according to the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship. And that is just a fraction of the 37,325 Registered Apprentices across the broader industry, as most of these programs support entry-level, but still high-demand clinical roles like Certified Nursing Assistants and Medical Assistants.

Information Technology

Tech apprenticeships are expanding as well. Major companies like LinkedIn, Google, and Microsoft have launched earn-and-learn pathways for roles in IT support, UX design, and software engineering. Amazon has launched apprenticeships in those areas, as well as for emerging technologies like mechatronics and robotics. The Biden administration recently committed to expanding registered apprenticeships in tech and other high-growth sectors. In 2024, an executive order directed federal agencies to become model employers by launching apprenticeships in cybersecurity, IT, and program management roles. Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized the importance of apprenticeships in opening doors without requiring debt-laden degrees, noting that participants "get paid while they’re in the program."

Nationally, companies like Accenture have pledged to fill 20% of entry-level roles through apprenticeships in high-demand fields like data analytics, cybersecurity, and software engineering. These roles typically don't require a four-year degree to start, and apprenticeships create a clear, skills-based path for underrepresented candidates.

Youth Apprenticeship in Action

Youth apprenticeship programs are another bright spot. CareerWise USA continues to lead the nation in high school-based apprenticeships in industries like advanced manufacturing, IT, and financial services. And their results are outstanding with CareerWise Colorado, the organization's flagship branch, showing exceptionally high levels of their youth apprentices either employed, in college, or both after completing the program. Over half were still working for their apprenticeship employer, earning an average of $28/hour. These programs not only teach skills but also give young people a head start on meaningful careers.

“100% of CareerWise Colorado youth apprentices either got a job, enrolled in college, or both after completing the program.”— CareerWise Colorado 2023 Alumni Outcomes Survey

Policy Support and National Impact

Apprenticeships have garnered strong bipartisan support across multiple U.S. administrations, including those of Presidents Obama, Trump, Biden and again here in the second Trump term. Each has recognized apprenticeships as a vital strategy for workforce development, economic mobility, and addressing skills gaps. While there have been differences in implementation, the underlying commitment to expanding apprenticeship opportunities has remained consistent across party lines. And our nation's think tanks agree, The Brookings Institution, Urban Institute and Jobs for the Future (JFF) all have dedicated significant efforts into boosting the adoption and efficacy of apprenticeships, and they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to organizations investing time and dollars into increasing the impact of this corner of workforce development.

Last week, The White House set a national goal of registering one million new apprentices, backed by $440 million in recent federal investments. This reflects a growing understanding that apprenticeships are not just an alternative to college—they are a proven path to the middle class. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration, over 90% of apprentices retain employment after completing their programs, with average starting salaries of $50,000. Employers see strong returns on investment, with some reporting up to $1.47 in benefits for every dollar spent, due to increased productivity, reduced waste and greater front-line innovation.

A Call to Action for Leaders

“The full potential of apprenticeships can only be realized if employers and colleges come together in meaningful ways… showing that [this model] can be valuable for technology, healthcare, finance and other sectors.”— Apprenticeships for America, 2024 National Report

The message is clear: apprenticeships are no longer a niche solution. They are a powerful workforce strategy for employers, educators, and communities. They create opportunity for individuals who might otherwise be shut out of high-skill careers, and they provide companies with loyal, well-trained employees who understand the work from day one.

For business leaders, the opportunity is clear. If you're struggling to hire for in-demand roles, apprenticeships can build a pipeline of talent trained to your needs. For educators, apprenticeships offer a way to modernize curriculum and improve student outcomes, especially when paired with college credit or industry certifications. And for policymakers, investing in apprenticeship means investing in equity, economic mobility, and the strength of our workforce.

It’s time to champion apprenticeship not as a backup plan, but as a first choice. Because when done right, apprenticeships don't just train workers, they transform lives.

To learn more about apprenticeship programs or other types of alternative talent pipelines, please reach out to me or my team at SummitWorx Solutions and we would be happy to talk through your goals and the best options available to you.

Topic Tags: #NationalAppreticeshipDay #workforcedevelopment #apprenticeship #futureofwork #workbasedlearning #earnwhileyoulearn #SkillsFirst