May 4, 2026
RICHMOND, VA — Virginia has been selected as one of ten states chosen to lead a high‑impact cohort committed to transforming the American workforce through the expansion of Registered Apprenticeship.
The announcement made Friday during a national launch event hosted by CareerWise, positions Virginia at the forefront of a national movement to strengthen youth career pathways and support the U.S. Department of Labor’s goal of reaching one million active apprentices.
The selection comes at a pivotal moment. Known as the Launchpad Decade, the period from high school to early adulthood for many young people has become increasingly difficult to navigate. Recent graduates are entering a rapidly evolving labor market, where emerging technologies like artificial intelligence are creating new skill needs and reshaping entry-level career opportunities across every major industry.
Selected through a competitive process, Virginia joins Alabama, Arizona, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, and Utah whose collective goals aim to:
- Create real, affordable pathways into high skill careers
- Help employers build the talent pipelines needed to fill critical skilled roles
- Open doors of economic mobility for the next generation
“Virginia is honored to be recognized among the nation’s leaders in expanding apprenticeship opportunities both here in the Commonwealth and across the country,” said Virginia Works Commissioner, Nicole Overley. “This cohort strengthens our commitment to building clear, affordable pathways that connect young people to the high-skill careers that provide stability for Virginia families and drive our economy. Through new partnerships and by working closely with national experts, we are ensuring Virginia remains a top destination for talent, innovation, and long-term growth.”
The national launch event on May 1 marked the official kickoff of “Apprenticeship America,” a bold movement to take apprenticeship to scale across the United States. For Virginia, this recognition represents a significant milestone in advancing high-quality youth workforce pathways and strengthening the Commonwealth’s position as a leader in modern apprenticeship.
As a member of the inaugural Apprenticeship America cohort, Virginia will collaborate with national experts from the Future Ready Apprenticeship Center, CareerWise, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, New America, Jobs for the Future, Urban Institute, AIR, Upskill America, and others to focus on building the early career infrastructure needed to ensure young people play a meaningful role in meeting the nation’s target of one million active Registered Apprentices.
For more information about Virginia Works’ Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program, or to contact a RA Consultant near you, visit: https://virginiaworks.gov/explore-registered-apprenticeship/.
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PDF of Press Release 