In today’s machine shop, the individuals populating the shop floor and offices are the driving force behind success. And now, with a renewed federal policy focus on registered apprenticeship programs, there’s a new opportunity to grow the next generation of skilled talent in our industry.
On April 23, 2025, President Trump signed an executive order to strengthen and expand registered apprenticeships across the country. The stated purpose of this order is to streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens, and prioritize workforce investments in high-demand trades such as advanced manufacturing.
To further contextualize what this policy means for our members, we spoke with Omar Nashashibi, our reliable manufacturing advocacy expert. Here are some of the highlights of this conversation:
Survey Says: Workforce Development by the Numbers
At its core, this policy involves helping young people understand that there are rewarding, high-earning careers in the trades. According to our annual member survey results, NTMA members are already leading the charge when it comes to outreach:
- 76% are actively working with community colleges and trade schools
- 72% are actively engaging with high schools
- 25% are reaching out to veteran programs
- 20% are engaging with youth groups
In addition, we found that more than half of our members currently report using apprenticeship programs. Of that group, approximately 55-60% offer registered apprenticeship opportunities, and about 40-45% offer non-registered apprenticeships. Finally, each shop that leverages registered apprenticeships has an average of three to five programs at any given time.
Registered Apprenticeships Matter
According to Omar, it’s important to note that the April 23rd policy emphasizes registered apprenticeship programs and does not take non-registered alternatives into account. For shop owners who currently run their own customized training programs, this might mark a pivotal shift in how they think about workforce development.
There is certainly value to be gained from non-registered apprenticeships. However, registered programs are eligible for federal and state funding, certification, and formal recognition—key advantages from a budgetary and operational perspective. For that reason alone, aligning your workforce initiatives with federal support could be a smart move.
NTMA Plays a Significant Role in Developing Talent
The current administration’s focus on registered apprenticeships aligns closely with NTMA’s mission, which has emphasized workforce development since its founding. NTMA President Roger Atkins has long been involved in national conversations about apprenticeships, and our association will continue to serve as a resource for shops navigating industry and workforce changes.
According to the executive order, the Secretaries of Commerce, Education, and Labor must submit a plan within 120 days on how they can reach over one million active apprentices. NTMA will be involved in helping to shape this 120-day plan as part of our advocacy efforts with Omar, and that involvement will be critical in ensuring our members can benefit. As a trade organization, NTMA is a key partner that is uniquely positioned to help shops become part of this national movement.
Action Items: How to Benefit from This Executive Order
1. Evaluate Your Current Training Programs
If you’re already offering a non-registered apprenticeship, it may be time to evaluate the benefits of becoming registered. With the new policy prioritizing registered programs, this shift could unlock new funding and support for your efforts.
2. Strengthen Your Talent Pipeline
Bringing in new apprentices through a structured, registered program can strengthen machine shop organization. Offering registered apprenticeship programs can improve employee retention and ensure knowledge is being passed down in a consistent, trackable way—all while giving young workers a real career path in the trades.
The executive order is a call to action, and it’s up to you whether or not you’ll respond to this call. If we want to revitalize American manufacturing, we need employers who are ready to participate, promote, and implement structured workforce programs. And NTMA is here to help you do just that.
Reach out to NTMA’s manufacturing network to explore how you can align with the federal initiative and help train the workforce of the future.