Registered apprenticeship program expansion highlighted at Minnesota Senate Labor Committee hearing

The Minnesota Senate Labor Committee heard an informational briefing Feb. 27 on registered apprenticeship in Minnesota, with testimony from the Department of Labor and Industry and sponsor organizations that run joint apprenticeship and training programs.

Erin Larson, director of Apprenticeship Minnesota at the Department of Labor and Industry, told the committee that registered apprenticeship programs must include five components: employment from day one, structured on-the-job training under a mentor, related instruction (classroom or coursework), progressive wage increases and a nationally recognized credential at completion. "Any registered apprenticeship program that our office approves will include 5 components," Larson said.

Why it matters: speakers said apprenticeship is a proven earn-while-you-learn pathway that yields higher licensure pass rates and steady careers while helping employers build a skilled workforce. Larson highlighted that, on most days, Minnesota has about 11,000 apprentices; in calendar year 2024, about 1,900 apprentices completed programs and roughly 4,000 registered into new programs.

Expansion beyond traditional trades: Larson described recent state-registered programs in…