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Mass. leaders mark Apprenticeship Day, tout growth in registered programs and state support
Summary
State officials and labor leaders met at Local 103 in Boston for Massachusetts Apprentice Day, where officials highlighted growth in registered apprenticeships, new programs and grants, and employer tax credits while issuing a ceremonial proclamation.
Local labor and state officials onstage at Local 103 in Boston celebrated Massachusetts Apprentice Day and highlighted recent growth in the state's registered apprenticeship programs, including thousands of new apprentice registrations, grant awards and expanded employer tax credits.
Secretary Lauren Jones, secretary of labor and workforce development, told the crowd the Healey administration has “registered over 9,300 new apprentices” since taking office and is “on track to surpass 10,000 by the end of this year.” She credited partnerships among labor, contractors and state government for the expansion and said the administration has “awarded over $10,000,000 in grants to support apprenticeship, and we’ve even expanded tax credits to help create even more impact.”
Nut graf: The event brought together hiring employers, apprenticeship program staff and more than 250 apprentices for a ceremony and a job fair intended to connect applicants with training and employment. State officials framed apprenticeship as a tool to close skills gaps across trades and emerging industries, while also announcing ongoing investments to grow program access.
At the podium, Lou Antonellis, representing Local 103 and the event host, welcomed apprentices and emphasized the role of union apprenticeship training in building long-term careers. “Each and every one of you represents the future of our workforce,” Antonellis said.
Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll presented an official proclamation declaring the day Massachusetts Apprentice Day and urged employers to adopt registered apprenticeship. Driscoll said apprenticeships open “a doorway in” for people without family connections to a trade and argued the programs help close a long-running gap between available jobs and skilled workers: “We have more jobs than we have skilled people for.” She also noted recent employer incentives: “We provided almost a half million dollars in tax credits to employers” in 2024, she said.
Speakers pointed to expansion beyond traditional trades. Secretary Jones said expanded areas include IT support, biotechnology clinical-trial technicians and auto mechanics, and she said “over 200 new apprenticeship programs have been registered” during the administration’s term. Officials also said the state hired an apprenticeship liaison and updated a strategic plan to improve diversity, equity and inclusion in apprenticeship recruitment and retention.
The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development, the Division of Apprentice Standards and MassHire staff were credited as partners in organizing the day and in ongoing program support. Undersecretary Josh Cutler and director Lehi Thomas were mentioned as leading operations for the division. Labor organizations onstage included Chrissy Lynch of the AFL-CIO and Frank Callahan of the Massachusetts Building Trades.
Organizers encouraged attendees to visit an apprenticeship fair that followed the ceremony to connect job seekers and employers. The event closed with the presentation of the proclamation and a group photo of officials and labor leaders.
Ending: The event focused on recruitment and visibility rather than policy changes; officials described investment and outreach steps already taken and encouraged employers and attendees to use the apprenticeship fair to pursue open opportunities.
