Funds support continued growth of Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships to meet workforce needs and provide pathway to high-demand careers
Concord, N.H. (September 12, 2025) – The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) has been awarded $482,658 in State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) grants from the U.S. Department of Labor to increase the capacity of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). The 2025 allocation is the third SAEF grant received by CCSNH as part of a five-year program of annual grants to serve, improve, and expand RAPs.
RAPs combine on-the-job training and classroom education to provide career paths for apprentices and meet workforce needs in high-demand fields. More than 3,223 apprentices are currently working in New Hampshire in a broad range of industries including advanced manufacturing, automotive technology, transportation and logistics, information technology, biomedical technology, business and finance, construction and infrastructure, education and childcare, healthcare and hospitality.
ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce education program of CCSNH, was created in 2017 to promote high-quality RAPs and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs in the Granite State. SAEF grant funds will be used to continue to expand apprenticeship opportunities in both traditional and emerging industries. The grant will also facilitate new Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, which prepare high school students and adult learners for entry into a Registered Apprenticeship Program.
“Through the Pre-Apprenticeship to Registered Apprenticeship model, we can expand our skilled workforce and create a path to careers in high demand fields. The SAEF grant enables us to provide technical assistance and financial support so more people can take advantage of the opportunities that apprenticeships provide,” said Anne Banks, Apprenticeship Program Manager at CCSNH
In partnership with the federal Office of Apprenticeship, ApprenticeshipNH supports employers building RAPs, Pre-Apprenticeship Programs and high school programs to meet current and future workforce demands in New Hampshire. Four regional hubs tailor and align programs to local needs and work closely with area employers. Each hub is located near one of the state’s community colleges and is staffed with experts to provide technical support and assistance connecting employers with potential job seekers.
The U.S. Department of Labor issued the first SAEF grants in July 2023 to accelerate the creation of RAPs, reduce barriers to entry for new employers and industries, foster innovation, and serve stakeholders. The 2025 grant supports the expansion of Registered Apprenticeships in both traditional and emerging industries to prepare Americans for the high-paying skilled trade jobs of the future.
The funding is allocated using a formula based upon the number of apprentices served within the state. According to statistics gathered by the federal Office of Apprenticeship, which oversees the National Registered Apprenticeship System, there are 3,530 active apprentices in the Granite State in FY2025, a more than 85% increase in 10 years.
The total funding of the ApprenticeshipNH initiative is $9.2 million with 99% funded through the following US Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration Grants at the dollar amounts indicated: State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) Grants-$3.4 million and Apprenticeship Building America Grant – $5.8 million.
About ApprenticeshipNH
ApprenticeshipNH is a workforce training program of the Community College System of NH (CCSNH) created in 2017 to foster a skilled workforce and provide career pathways through high-quality Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs. Working in partnership with NH’s Federal Office of Apprenticeship and funded by U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration grants, the program helps employers in key industries create a pipeline of skilled workers through combined classroom instruction and on-the-job training in an “earn-while-you-learn” model. The program offers technical support to help employers create Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, provides financial support to apprentices and pre-apprentices, and coordinates pre-apprenticeship opportunities with employers and high schools.
