During National Apprenticeship Week, Kentucky Sees Record Number of Apprentices Actively Participating in Training Programs

Number of Kentuckians enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs has more than doubled in just 10 years

FRANKFORT, Ky. — Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that a record number of Kentuckians are actively pursuing pathways to good, high-paying jobs across the commonwealth through registered apprenticeship programs.

As this week marks the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week, Gov. Beshear touted statistics from the Kentucky Center for Statistics (KYSTATS) and the Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services that show Kentucky logged 6,639 active apprentices during federal fiscal year 2023 – a record high for a single year. That number exceeds the previous year’s total by 15% and more than doubles the number of active apprentices recorded a decade earlier.

“Kentucky’s economy is on fire, and the demand for highly skilled workers right now is surpassing anything we could have ever imagined,” said Gov. Beshear.  “I encourage any Kentuckian who’s just starting out or maybe searching for a new career to consider enrolling in a registered apprenticeship program, which allows you to cash a paycheck while learning a marketable new skill.”

Registered apprenticeship programs allow participants to simultaneously earn a living, receive technical training and pursue a nationally recognized credential. They also help make good jobs more accessible to women, people of color, individuals with disabilities and other underrepresented populations in the workforce. Participating employers also realize recruitment, training and employee retention advantages.

In Kentucky, the median starting wage for those who complete a registered apprenticeship program is $55,366 in the first year of employment, according to the report. In the 10th year of employment, the median wage increases to $71,295.

In Kentucky, apprenticeship choices run the gamut from traditional trade roles to teaching, healthcare, information technology, advanced manufacturing and much more.

The Office of Employer and Apprenticeship Services in the Education and Labor Cabinet is the state agency that approves registered apprenticeship programs. The office is partnering with youth programs, high school and college counselors, veteran organizations, women- and minority-owned businesses, churches and other groups in underrepresented communities to increase the variety of apprenticeship program offerings.

Data from the latest apprenticeship report also shows the diversity of registered apprentices has increased. The number of Black Kentuckians actively participating in apprenticeship programs nearly tripled from 164 in 2013 to 470 in 2023. The number of women in the commonwealth actively participating in a registered apprentice program increased more than tenfold over that decade – from 99 in 2013 to 1,181 in 2023.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of National Apprenticeship Week – a time when employers, workforce partners, government agencies, labor and community-based organizations and other stakeholders highlight the benefits these programs provide to encourage growth and increase participation.

To celebrate the week, Gov. Beshear also issued a proclamation declaring Nov. 17-23, 2024, Apprenticeship Week in Kentucky.

Since taking office in 2019, Gov. Beshear has often touted the benefits of registered apprenticeship and adult education programs to help Kentuckians get the education and training they need to open the door to a better future.

The Governor’s Everybody Counts initiative connects graduating high school seniors in participating school districts with registered apprenticeship programs, colleges, universities and business partners to ensure every student is on a successful career path upon graduation.

Gov. Beshear has also been a strong proponent of second chance opportunities to help those in correctional facilities train for a career before being released, which has helped the commonwealth see record low recidivism rates.

On Oct. 17, Gov. Beshear signed an executive order announcing the establishment of the Governor's Council of Second Chance Employers, bolstering efforts to ensure those who have paid their debt to society have meaningful employment upon release. 

“From adult education to registered apprenticeships and workplace safety, we help ensure Kentuckians receive the education and training they need to land a good job in a safe and healthy work environment,” said Education and Labor Cabinet Secretary Jamie Link. “Registered apprenticeships provide a great earn-while-you-learn option for the job seeker and benefit employers by creating a skilled and ready workforce.”