LeadingAge advocated for funding of $303 million for the U.S. Department of Labor’s Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) as a fiscal year (FY) 2023 appropriations priority. The President signed the FY 2023 omnibus appropriations bill into law on December 29, and it includes $285 million for the Registered Apprenticeship Program, an increase of $50 million above last year’s funding level.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program is an employer-driven model that combines on-the-job learning with related classroom instruction to increase an apprentice’s skill level and potential wages. Apprenticeships are frequently referenced as a proven solution for organizations to recruit, train and retain highly skilled workers.

The accompanying report language for the Registered Apprenticeship’s in the FY 2023 omnibus appropriations bill urges the DOL’s Employment and Training Administration, in collaboration with the Department of Health and Human Services, to support the expansion of the skilled care workforce to care for a rapidly aging U.S. population and to provide home and community-based services to older adults and people with disabilities, including education and training grant programs, as well as traditional and nontraditional apprenticeship programs. For example, the apprenticeships can be used for the following occupations:

• Food Services – Cooks, Institution and Cafeteria
• Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers
• Community Health Workers
• Healthcare Social Workers
• LPNs – Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
• Certified Nursing Assistants
• Nurse Practitioners
• Registered Nurses
• Personal Care and Service Workers

LeadingAge members looking develop new RAP opportunities can access the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, “A Quick-Start Toolkit: Building Registered Apprenticeship Programs.” The guide will also assist with determining how to partner with key players in your region to develop an apprenticeship program. Additionally, it links to the contact information for State Apprenticeship Offices that can provide technical assistance and advise workforce partners on available funding sources to help support apprenticeships.

You can also access a LeadingAge article, here, for additional information on our workforce advocacy wins included in the FY 2023 omnibus appropriations bill.