CONTACT: Jenna Wines
jwines@vamanufacturers.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 30, 2026
Virginia Manufacturers Association Celebrates National Apprenticeship Week 2026
Richmond, VA—The Virginia Manufacturers Association (VMA) is proud to join employers, educators, workforce partners, and policymakers across the country in celebrating National Apprenticeship Week (NAW), April 26 – Saturday, May 2, 2026—a nationwide recognition of the critical role Registered Apprenticeship plays in building a skilled workforce and strengthening America’s economy.
Now in its twelfth year, National Apprenticeship Week is being held for the first time in the spring and is expected to be the largest celebration yet. The 2026 theme, “America at Work: Making America Skilled Again Through Registered Apprenticeship,” reflects the growing role of apprenticeship as a proven, industry‑led solution to workforce challenges—particularly in advanced manufacturing and other high‑demand sectors.
“Manufacturers across Virginia depend on a highly skilled workforce to compete and grow,” said Wes Smith, VMA Workforce Solutions Director & MSI Executive Director. “Registered Apprenticeship delivers exactly that—real jobs paired with structured training and nationally recognized credentials. National Apprenticeship Week is an opportunity to spotlight how manufacturers are developing talent today to meet the needs of tomorrow.”
As the only statewide association exclusively dedicated to manufacturers and their allies, the Virginia Manufacturers Association has long championed Registered Apprenticeship as a cornerstone of workforce development. Through its workforce affiliate, the Manufacturing Skills Institute (MSI), the VMA provides resources nationally to assist manufacturers in designing, launching, and scaling apprenticeship programs that align training directly with industry needs. These earn‑while‑you‑learn pathways connect Virginians to in‑demand manufacturing careers while helping employers strengthen recruitment, retention, and productivity.
Nationally, Registered Apprenticeship has expanded well beyond traditional construction trades, with strong growth in advanced manufacturing, automation, artificial intelligence, shipbuilding, and energy‑related occupations. Programs are continually modernized to incorporate new technologies, ensuring apprentices gain skills that remain relevant as manufacturing evolves.
Throughout National Apprenticeship Week, the VMA and MSI encourage manufacturers, workforce partners, educators, and career seekers to learn more about how apprenticeships support long‑term economic growth—for businesses, workers, and the Commonwealth.
Learn more about Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in Virginia. Click here for additional information about National Apprenticeship Week.