The U.S. Department of Labor announced the 2026 National Apprenticeship Week will take place from April 26-May 2, marking the nationwide celebration’s move to spring.  

National Apprenticeship Week is an annual nationwide celebration for employers, educators, state agencies, unions, and many others to showcase how Registered Apprenticeship improves and expands career pathways for American workers, while helping employers drive economic growth across all industries. Since its inception in 2015, more than 2 million people participated in more than 10,000 National Apprenticeship Week events, and over 3,250 proclamations have been issued in support of Registered Apprenticeship. 

National Apprenticeship Week 2026 will include events across all 50 states and U.S. territories reflecting the theme, “America at Work: Making America Skilled Again Through Registered Apprenticeship,” and advance the Trump Administration’s goal of ensuring America’s workforce is equipped to meet the opportunities of the “Golden Age” of industry and innovation. As the nation celebrates its 250th year and continues its reindustrialization, the theme reflects Registered Apprenticeship’s prominence as a key strategy to ensure the American worker is equipped for the skilled jobs of today and tomorrow.

“As part of its continuing commitment to American workers and employers, and our efforts to reach our goal of 1 million apprentices, the U.S. Department of Labor is excited to formally announce its expansive plans for National Apprenticeship Week 2026,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “As our nation prepares to celebrate its momentous 250th anniversary, the observance of National Apprenticeship Week offers stakeholders the chance to spread the word regarding the power of Registered Apprenticeship to supercharge our economy and support this Golden Age of America.”

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Events will highlight how expanding Registered Apprenticeship addresses the workforce needs of industries today, including preparing more Americans for careers in the skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding, artificial intelligence, nuclear energy, and adapting to a growing technological workforce. 

Nationwide events to promote Registered Apprenticeship in skilled trades and other high-growth, high-demand industries include an Apprenticeship Appreciation Week celebration hosted by Pinellas Community College; Zurich American Insurance Co.’s webinar, Embedding Apprenticeships as Part of your Early Career Strategy; and a National Apprenticeship Week hosted by the Central South Carpenters Regional Council. 

The week’s events also support the department’s ongoing efforts to implement presidential executive orders related to expanding the Registered Apprenticeship program, including Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future, Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth, Restoring America's Maritime Dominance, and Reinvigorating the Nuclear Industrial Base. Since the beginning of the Trump administration, over 363,000 new individuals have started apprenticeships.   

The department encourages employers, educators, apprentices, state agencies, unions, and other Registered Apprenticeship system stakeholders to host events and engage in National Apprenticeship Week 2026 activities.