APPRENTICSHIPS AND WORK BASED LEARNING
Not everyone wants — or needs — a four-year degree to build a good life. Hands-on, work-based learning is one of the strongest paths to stable employment, but apprenticeships in America are underfunded, undervalued, and difficult to access. It’s time to treat skilled work with the dignity and support it deserves.
THE PROBLEM
Apprenticeship pathways exist, but access is uneven and often confusing, especially outside major cities.
Young people are told to “learn a trade” — but tools, certification fees, and unpaid training lock out low-income students.
Many employers want skilled workers but don’t have structured programs to train or bring them in.
Wages during training are often too low to sustain housing, transportation, and basic living needs.
We don’t have a worker shortage — we have a pathway shortage.
OUR PLAN TO EXTEND HANDS ON PATHWAYS
We will treat apprenticeship as a first-class education track, equal in status to college:
Paid Apprenticeship Guarantee — No one should train for free. Federal wage standards apply to all registered apprenticeships.
Tool & Certification Grants — Provide funding for starter tools, safety gear, licensing exams, and transportation.
Union & Industry Training Hubs — Expand trade halls and maker spaces where people can learn welding, solar installation, robotics maintenance, and more.
High School-to-Apprenticeship Pipelines — Build direct partnerships so students can graduate with placement, not just a diploma.
Housing Support During Training — Apprentices in high-demand fields qualify for temporary housing assistance to prevent dropout from financial strain.
Apprenticeship Tax Credits for Employers — Incentives tied to completion, not just enrollment, ensuring programs actually deliver skilled workers.
WHY IT MATTERS
When people can learn a skill, earn a wage, and build a future without debt, communities thrive. Skilled trades keep our infrastructure alive, our homes powered, and our economy moving. We must invest in the builders, not just the buildings.
“College isn’t the only path — but learning should always lead to opportunity, not poverty.”