Research has shown that financial barriers are a primary reason why apprentices don’t complete their apprenticeship programs. In April 2025, Jobs for the Future (JFF), with support from Google.org, launched the National Apprentice Fund (NAF) to address this barrier. The fund will offer financial assistance to participants in U.S. Registered Apprenticeship programs who are having trouble paying their expenses while participating in the training. The NAF will focus on supporting apprentices in occupations in new and emerging industries, such as health care and technology, that haven’t traditionally used apprenticeships as a talent development model.
Are you an apprentice who’s currently experiencing financial barriers affecting your ability to complete a Registered Apprenticeship program? You may be eligible to receive a one-time monetary award through the NAF.
It’s not uncommon for people to experience financial challenges when they pursue education or training to gain new skills so they can advance in their careers. Financial burdens vary from person to person, but they can include the cost of the tools or equipment they need to pursue their training or bills for essentials like transportation, child care, and housing. By reducing those kinds of financial stresses and enabling more people to complete Registered Apprenticeships, the NAF aims to help build a stronger U.S. workforce.
What We Offer
JFF will manage the National Apprentice Fund, a $2 million initiative that will provide financial support directly to apprentices. Through the NAF, JFF will:
- Provide 750 apprentices with individual awards of $2,800 per person.
- Prioritize apprentices in growing sectors of the economy that pay competitive wages and offer opportunities for upward career mobility, including advanced manufacturing, health care, technology, clean energy, and education.
- Assess the fund’s impact on apprentice outcomes, including retention, completion, and job placement, through a comprehensive evaluation of and ongoing communication with the people who receive funding.