Pennsylvania Apprenticeships on the Move Grant 2026: Apply for Up to $249,999 to Expand Workforce Apprenticeship Programs

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, through the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I), has announced the Apprenticeships on the Move: Advancing Pennsylvania’s Workforce Grant, a major workforce development funding opportunity designed to strengthen apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship pathways across the state. Through this Notice of Grant Availability (NGA), approximately $4 million in state funding is available to eligible organizations seeking to develop new Registered Apprenticeship or Registered Pre-Apprenticeship programs or expand existing registered programs in Pennsylvania. Eligible applicants may request up to $249,999 to support projects that respond to employer workforce needs, build stronger talent pipelines, expand access to quality training, address barriers to employment, and create pathways into sustainable careers. The initiative is particularly focused on high-priority sectors including agriculture, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, robotics and technology, education, healthcare, and skilled trades. Applications for the Pennsylvania Apprenticeships on the Move Grant are due by October 2, 2026, at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. The anticipated grant performance period will run from May 1, 2027, through April 30, 2030. Pennsylvania Apprenticeships on the Move Grant Overview The Apprenticeships on the Move initiative is intended to support Pennsylvania's long-term workforce and economic development objectives by increasing the number, accessibility, and effectiveness of Registered Apprenticeship and Registered Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities. The program recognizes that employers across Pennsylvania are facing increasing demand for skilled workers while also dealing with retirements, workforce shortages, competition for talent, and the loss of institutional knowledge. The grant therefore seeks to fund innovative approaches that connect employers, workforce organizations, education providers, labor organizations, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to create sustainable workforce pipelines. Under the opportunity, organizations can propose either: • Development of a new Registered Apprenticeship or Registered Pre-Apprenticeship program, or • Expansion of an existing Registered Apprenticeship or Registered Pre-Apprenticeship program. Projects must operate within Pennsylvania and address workforce development needs in one or more of the eligible industry sectors identified by L&I. How Much Funding Is Available? Approximately $4,000,000 has been allocated for the Apprenticeships on the Move initiative. Eligible applicants may request: • Up to $249,999 per application • Funding amounts aligned with the actual scope and needs of the proposed project • Funding for eligible activities associated with developing or expanding apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs The exact amount awarded will depend on the funding requested, the quality and competitiveness of applications, available funds, and the evaluation conducted by L&I. Pennsylvania may also provide additional funding during the grant period if funds become available through deobligation of other awards. Supplemental funding is not guaranteed and will depend on factors such as grantee performance, demonstrated need, ability to spend additional funds effectively, and continued alignment with the objectives of the grant. The grant is 100% state funded. What Is the Main Purpose of the Apprenticeships on the Move Grant? The central purpose of this grant is to strengthen Pennsylvania's workforce by supporting apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that respond directly to employer and labor-market needs. The initiative seeks to: • Develop new Registered Apprenticeship programs. • Develop new Registered Pre-Apprenticeship programs. • Expand existing registered apprenticeship programs. • Expand existing registered pre-apprenticeship programs. • Strengthen talent pipelines in high-demand industries. • Increase access to apprenticeship opportunities. • Help employers address workforce shortages. • Provide individuals with skills and workplace experience. • Support pathways to industry-recognized credentials. • Address barriers preventing individuals from entering apprenticeship pathways. • Increase participation among historically underserved and underrepresented populations. • Encourage collaboration between employers, education providers, labor organizations, workforce boards, and community organizations. • Strengthen Pennsylvania's long-term economic development priorities. Applicants are expected to demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed project and Pennsylvania's workforce and economic development priorities, including Governor Shapiro's Ten-Year Strategic Plan for Economic Development and the Pennsylvania Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) Combined State Plan. Who Can Apply for the Grant? The opportunity is intended for organizations that can serve as sponsors or intermediaries for new or existing registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in Pennsylvania. Eligible organizations may include: • Businesses • Community-based organizations • Economic development organizations • Industry associations • Labor organizations • Local education agencies • Local workforce development boards • Nonprofit organizations • Postsecondary institutions • Public libraries • STEM ecosystems If an applicant is not the actual program sponsor, the application must provide significant evidence demonstrating that the program sponsor is an involved partner in the proposed project. The organization must also have the capacity to coordinate and manage the project, administer the financial aspects of the grant, collect and report performance information, and work with an evaluator. Two Types of Projects Can Be Funded 1. Development of a New Registered Apprenticeship or Pre-Apprenticeship Program Organizations may apply to establish a new apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program that has not yet been registered at the beginning of the grant performance period. The proposed program must ultimately be registered with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Awardees will have up to one year from the contract start date to finalize registration or demonstrate progress toward registration. Grantees will be expected to establish and maintain communication with representatives of the Pennsylvania Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO), which serves as the State Apprenticeship Agency (SAA), as they develop and register the program. Organizations that fail to make adequate progress toward registration may have funds deobligated. 2. Expansion of an Existing Registered Program Organizations may also apply to expand an existing Registered Apprenticeship or Registered Pre-Apprenticeship program that was already registered before the start of the grant performance period. For purposes of this grant, expansion means an increase in the number of participants enrolled in the program. Expansion does not include adding a new occupation to the existing program. Organizations seeking to expand an existing program must ensure that the program sponsor remains compliant with applicable federal and Pennsylvania laws, regulations, policies, standards, and approved program standards. Eligible Industry Sectors The proposed apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program must operate within at least one of the sectors identified by Pennsylvania L&I. Eligible sectors are: Agriculture Projects may address workforce needs associated with agricultural occupations and the broader agricultural economy. Energy Programs may develop talent pipelines for energy-related occupations and emerging workforce requirements in the energy sector. Life Sciences Organizations working to develop skilled talent for life sciences industries may submit proposals within this sector. Manufacturing Manufacturing remains a major focus of Pennsylvania's workforce development strategy, and eligible projects may address skills shortages and talent pipeline needs within the sector. Robotics and Technology Programs focused on robotics, technology, and related occupations may qualify where they demonstrate clear workforce demand. Education Education-sector apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship initiatives may be eligible where they respond to identified workforce needs. Healthcare Healthcare workforce development projects may qualify under the healthcare sector. Skilled Trades The skilled trades category includes, but is not limited to: • Construction • Electrical work • HVAC • Steamfitting • Fiber optics • Telecommunications Applicants must identify the applicable sector or sectors in their application and demonstrate how the proposed project addresses workforce development needs within those sectors. Applications proposing programs outside the eligible sectors will be considered ineligible. What Is a Registered Apprenticeship? Registered Apprenticeship is a structured workforce development model that combines employment, training, mentorship, technical education, and recognized credentials. According to the grant announcement, Registered Apprenticeships have five key components: • A paid job • On-the-job training • Related technical instruction • Mentorship • Credentials This combination allows participants to gain practical work experience while developing technical and occupational skills. For employers, apprenticeship programs can provide a structured way to develop and retain skilled workers. For participants, apprenticeships provide a pathway to earn wages while learning and working toward industry-recognized credentials. What Is a Registered Pre-Apprenticeship? Registered Pre-Apprenticeship programs are designed to prepare individuals for entry into Registered Apprenticeship programs. The grant identifies five core components of a registered pre-apprenticeship: • An established connection to at least one existing Registered Apprenticeship program. • Approved training and curriculum. • Hands-on learning through appropriate program designs and approaches. • An opportunity to earn an industry-recognized credential. • Access to support services and career counseling. Pre-apprenticeship can therefore serve as an important bridge between education, workforce preparation, and formal apprenticeship. Why Is Pennsylvania Investing in Apprenticeships? Pennsylvania is experiencing workforce challenges driven by several factors. Employers are facing shortages of skilled workers, increased competition for talent, and the retirement of experienced workers. As experienced employees leave the workforce, organizations can lose decades of technical knowledge and operational expertise. Registered Apprenticeship programs can help address this challenge by combining experienced-worker mentorship with structured training for new employees. This allows organizations to facilitate knowledge transfer while preparing the next generation of workers. Apprenticeships also provide workers with opportunities to earn wages while acquiring skills and credentials, making them an important pathway into family-sustaining careers. Pennsylvania has historically used apprenticeship models in areas such as construction, manufacturing, and industrial occupations. The Commonwealth is now seeking to expand apprenticeship opportunities into sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture, energy, life sciences, robotics, technology, and telecommunications. What Should Successful Projects Demonstrate? Applicants must clearly demonstrate that the proposed program responds to a real workforce need. A strong application should provide evidence such as: • Labor market information • Employer demand • Workforce shortage data • Talent pipeline gaps • Economic development information • Information about the occupations being targeted • The number of apprentic

• Organization must serve as sponsor or intermediary for new or existing registered apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship programs • Proposed apprenticeship or pre-apprenticeship program must operate within Pennsylvania • Program must address workforce development needs in at least one eligible industry sector (agriculture, energy, life sciences, manufacturing, robotics and technology, education, healthcare, or skilled trades) • If applicant is not the actual program sponsor, application must provide significant evidence that the program sponsor is an involved partner • Organization must have capacity to coordinate and manage the project, administer financial aspects, collect and report performance information, and work with an evaluator • For new programs: program must be registered with Commonwealth of Pennsylvania within one year from contract start date or demonstrate adequate progress toward registration • For existing programs: program sponsor must remain compliant with applicable federal and Pennsylvania laws, regulations, policies, and standards • For expansion projects: expansion means increase in number of participants enrolled (does not include adding new occupation)