National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), celebrated April 26 through May 2, is a nationwide celebration that brings together employers, educators, workforce professionals, and community partners to recognize the power of apprenticeship as a proven pathway to careers and economic opportunity. This week shines a spotlight on the earn-and-learn models that connect individuals to paid, on-the-job training experiences leading to industry-recognized credentials and long-term career success.

For workforce development professionals, apprenticeship is more than a trending topic, it is a critical tool. Whether you are helping job seekers navigate career pathways, supporting employers in building sustainable talent pipelines, or designing programs that deliver real results, understanding registered apprenticeship is essential. In honor of NAW, NAWDP has pulled together a collection of resources to help you deepen your knowledge, sharpen your skills, and put apprenticeship into practice. Explore what is available and find the tools that work best for you.

Workforce on the Mic: A Big Step Forward — Preparing Talent for Apprenticeship Success

If you are looking for a place to start, the NAWDP podcast Workforce on the Mic has you covered. In Episode 17, we are joined by Lindsay Blumer, President and CEO of WRTP | BIG STEP, for a timely and energizing conversation on apprenticeship readiness and why it matters more than ever in today’s workforce landscape.

Lindsay draws on her experience leading a statewide workforce intermediary in Wisconsin to explore how earn-and-learn models are opening doors to high-demand careers, creating equitable and industry-led pathways, and aligning education with real-world job opportunities. She shares practical insights on preparing individuals with the confidence, core skills, and support systems they need to succeed — while also helping employers build strong talent pipelines that benefit workers, industries, and communities alike.

This episode is a must-listen for workforce professionals at every level. Tune in here.

Registered Apprenticeship for the Workforce Professional

Apprenticeship is not just a strategy for the populations we serve, it is also a powerful model for developing workforce professionals themselves. NAWDP’s Registered Apprenticeship for Workforce Development Professionals brings the earn-and-learn model directly to the field, offering a structured pathway for building the competencies that define effective workforce practice. Professionals who complete a registered apprenticeship become eligible to apply for the Certified Workforce Development Professional® (CWDP) credential, one of the most respected designations in the field.

Information on the standards and how to get started can be found on the NAWDP website.

Missouri Leads the Way

Missouri has already put this model into action. The state launched an innovative apprenticeship program for job center staff, making it one of the first in the nation to apply the registered apprenticeship model directly to its own workforce system employees. This forward-thinking approach is strengthening service delivery, building staff confidence, and demonstrating what is possible when workforce systems invest in their own people. Read about Missouri’s program here.

National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL)

NAWDP is proud to be a contributing partner with the National Institute for Work and Learning (NIWL) at FHI 360, a research and learning organization dedicated to strengthening the connections between education, work, and economic opportunity. Through this partnership, workforce professionals gain access to a rich set of tools and resources designed to support apprenticeship program design, implementation, and expansion.

NIWL’s apprenticeship resource hub offers practical tools for workforce professionals, including guidance on building apprenticeship frameworks, engaging employers, and supporting apprentices through completion. Whether you are new to apprenticeship or looking to strengthen an existing program, NIWL’s resources provide research-grounded, practitioner-focused support. Explore NIWL’s apprenticeship tools here.

NAWDP Day of Learning: All About Apprenticeships

Looking for a deeper dive? The NAWDP Day of Learning: All About Apprenticeships brings together federal, state, and employer perspectives to highlight current priorities, promising practices, and lessons learned across apprenticeship and workforce systems. This robust learning session covers the full landscape of apprenticeship — from policy and program design to on-the-ground implementation — making it a valuable resource for workforce professionals seeking comprehensive, actionable knowledge.

Recordings from the Day of Learning are now available on demand, so you can explore the content at your own pace and share it with your team. Access the recordings here.

Apprenticeship Recordings on the NAWDP YouTube Channel

NAWDP’s YouTube channel is home to a growing library of workforce development content, and our recordings on apprenticeship is one of its most valuable resources, covering topics ranging from registered apprenticeship basics to sector-specific strategies and workforce system integration.

Whether you are preparing for a stakeholder presentation, looking for professional development content to share with colleagues, or simply wanting to stay current on apprenticeship trends, NAWDP’s on demand recordings has something for you. Access the recordings here.

Keep Exploring

National Apprenticeship Week is a reminder that apprenticeship works for job seekers, employers, and the workforce professionals who make those connections possible every day. NAWDP is committed to equipping you with the knowledge, tools, and community you need to champion apprenticeship in your work and in your region.

We encourage you to bookmark these resources, share them with your network, and join the national conversation happening this week. To learn more about NAW and explore additional resources, visit Apprenticeship.gov.