J. Philippe Abraham Vice President | American Federation of Teachers
CareerWise and the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) have announced a new initiative called the Education and Apprenticeship Accelerator. This effort aims to expand apprenticeship opportunities for youth across the United States by strengthening career and technical education. The coalition, supported by state and industry leaders, seeks to connect high school students with earn-and-learn opportunities in various industries.
Key states involved in this national effort include California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania. Governors from these states are actively working to position apprenticeships as a viable option for young people to connect with careers.
The coalition will focus on aligning local and state policies with system-building efforts to better integrate American education with apprenticeships. It will work closely with policymakers, educators, employers, labor groups, and community organizations to invest in career and technical education (CTE) foundations that prepare students for apprenticeship opportunities.
Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina emphasized the importance of investing in CTE: “North Carolina’s greatest asset is its people,” he said. Governor Jared Polis of Colorado highlighted how apprenticeships can transform lives: “I’m proud for Colorado to join the Education and Apprenticeship Accelerator.”
New York's Governor Kathy Hochul expressed her commitment: “In New York, we know that an investment in our students today is an investment in our workforce tomorrow.” Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro noted his administration's increase in funding for CTE programs by nearly $65 million since taking office.
The initiative also receives backing from workforce leaders like the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). IUPAT General President Jimmy Williams Jr. stated: “At IUPAT, we’ve seen firsthand the transformative power of finally bringing career and technical education and registered apprenticeship together.”
Coalition partners will provide technical assistance on policy strategy within states while engaging industry stakeholders to achieve their apprenticeship goals. They aim to inform policies at local, state, and federal levels that support connecting more youth with apprenticeship opportunities.
Randi Weingarten, AFT President, stressed the need for educational pathways: “To nurture opportunity in America’s public schools...we’re building gateways to both college and career.” Noel Ginsburg, founder and CEO of CareerWise added: “We’re not just launching an initiative—we’re building a movement.”
The coalition plans early efforts focused on increasing awareness about apprenticeship opportunities' potential impact while advancing supportive policies across industries.
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