Funds support continued growth of Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships to meet workforce needs and provide pathways to high-demand careers
Concord, N.H. (July 24, 2026) – The Community College System of New Hampshire (CCSNH) has been awarded $956,368.74 in State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) grants from the U.S. Department of Labor to increase the capacity of Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs). The 2026 allocation is the fourth (SAEF4) 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. There are currently 3,256 registered apprentices 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. To date, more than 100 employers and 1,500 individual participants have participated in the ApprenticeshipNH program.
ApprenticeshipNH, a workforce education program of CCSNH, was created in 2017 to promote high-quality RAPs and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs in the Granite State. SAEF4 grant funds will be used to continue to expand apprenticeship opportunities in both traditional and emerging industries. The grant will also expand Pre-Apprenticeship Programs that are aligned with Registered Apprenticeship Programs, which prepare high school students and adult learners for entry into a Registered Apprenticeship Program.
“This SAEF4 grant is a vote of confidence in what New Hampshire employers are building,” said Kristine Dudley, CCSNH director of workforce development. “With this level of investment, we can reach even more industries and give employers the hands-on support they need to launch and grow Registered Apprenticeship Programs that fill workforce gaps.”
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 2026 grant supports the expansion of Registered Apprenticeships in skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, shipbuilding and maritime trades, education and early childhood education and healthcare.
The total funding of the ApprenticeshipNH initiative is $1.4 million, with 99% funded through the following U.S. Department of Labor-Employment and Training Administration Grants at the dollar amounts indicated: State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula 3 (SAEF3) $482,658 and SAEF4 $956,368. Additional support of less than 1% is provided by third-party scholarship grants.
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.
