Idaho business and labor leaders, educational institutions, state agencies and workforce centers will spend National Apprenticeship Week 2021 coming up with new strategies and creative ideas for tapping apprenticeships as a way to meet the talent needs of employers.

First observed in November 2015, National Apprenticeship Week celebrates the role of apprenticeship in helping workers earn while they learn and grow the economy.

Nationally, 221,000 people enrolled in one of 26,000 active registered apprenticeship programs in fiscal year 2020. Nearly 3,143 of the active programs were new. The total number of workers enrolled in reached  636,000 with more than 82,000 apprentices graduating from the system.

Economic development groups, state agencies, education groups and other groups are encouraged to register their National Apprenticeship Week events on with USDOL. Event hosts that wish to hold their events virtually – and at minimal cost – may want to check out a “Guide to Hosting Virtual Events.”

Future dates for National Apprenticeship Week include Nov. 14-20, 2022; Nov. 13-19, 2023 and Nov. 18-24, 2024.