U.S. Labor Department Launches First Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund in Arkansas

New $35.8 million program offers $3,500 per apprentice to employers nationwide, aiming to expand advanced manufacturing apprenticeships through a pay-for-performance model.

By the Arkansas Delta Informer Staff

Jan. 29, 2026 – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the launch of the first American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund portal in Arkansas. The program, kicked off on Jan. 28, will begin accepting applications from eligible Registered Apprenticeship sponsors nationwide. 

The $35.8 million American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund is designed to incentivize employers nationwide to develop, expand, or join existing advanced manufacturing Registered Apprenticeship programs through a pay-for-performance model. Through the program, eligible Registered Apprenticeship sponsors will receive $3,500 for each new apprentice hired.

This initiative was designed through a cooperative agreement with Arkansas and represents an innovative approach that aligns with America’s Talent Strategy, the Trump Administration’s blueprint for transforming the federal government’s approach to workforce development. It also supports President Trump’s goal of reaching and surpassing 1 million active apprentices.

“By helping our manufacturers secure the talent they need, we are advancing President Trump’s mission to revitalize and restore America’s economic dominance,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “In collaboration with Arkansas, we will supercharge our domestic industrial base by connecting manufacturing employers, notably small- and mid-sized companies, to the skilled workers they need for future productivity and put more Americans on the pathway to mortgage-paying careers.” 

Administered by the Arkansas Department of Commerce’s Division of Workforce Services, in partnership with the department’s Employment and Training Administration, the fund supports several of President Trump’s executive orders related to expanding the Registered Apprenticeships program. 

“Arkansas’ ambitious partnership with the federal government means that, moving forward, American factories will be able to take pride in hiring and training the best skilled workers in our nation,” said Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders.

Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until 100% of available incentive funds have been obligated. Eligible incentive fund applicants include Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors and group sponsors or consortia. 

Click here to apply: https://arkansasosd.com/mfgfund/