By Adam Vitcavage
States across the country are looking for better ways to connect young people to high-skill, family-sustaining careers while helping employers meet growing workforce needs. The Future Ready Apprenticeship Center was created to support that work.
Applications are now open for states to join the Center’s inaugural consortium.
Based in Colorado and powered by CareerWise, the federally funded Future Ready Apprenticeship Center helps states expand and strengthen registered youth apprenticeship. In partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor and the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, the Center aligns education, workforce, and industry systems to build scalable, apprenticeship-ready ecosystems.
States selected for the consortium will receive funding and hands-on support, including:
$200,000 in direct funding per state
Intensive technical assistance and state-specific planning support
Proven frameworks and tools, including model policies and data-backed best practices
Peer learning opportunities with other state leaders
Employer engagement strategies to strengthen industry partnerships
In total, participating states will receive $2 million to accelerate their apprenticeship efforts.
High-demand sectors like healthcare, technology, and advanced manufacturing continue to face talent shortages. By connecting pre-apprenticeship programs directly to paid, credential-earning apprenticeships, states can create clearer pathways for young people while building stronger local talent pipelines.
Applications are due March 20, 2026, with selected states announced in April 2026.
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