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U.S. Labor Department officials outline how registered apprenticeships work in West Virginia
Summary
Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor explained the five essential components of registered apprenticeships, corrected common myths (not union-only, not limited to construction) and shared state-level numbers for 2025 and typical apprentice ages.
Michael Ferrari of the U.S. Department of Labor and Adam Maus of the agency described how registered apprenticeships combine a paid job, structured on-the-job training, related instruction and mentorship that lead to nationally recognized credentials.
Michael Ferrari, identified at the summit as a representative of the U.S. Department of Labor, said registered apprenticeships are an "industry-led," paid model that lets people "earn while they learn." He listed five distinguishing components sponsors and employers should consider: industry leadership, a paid job, related training instruction (RTI), structured on-the-job training (OJT), and a recognized credential.
The presenters sought to correct misconceptions. Ferrari and Maus said most registered programs nationally are nonunion, and that apprenticeships extend beyond construction into IT, health care, advanced manufacturing, energy and emerging fields such as artificial intelligence. The panel cited West Virginia figures for 2025, reporting roughly 3,775 registered apprentices in the state and noting that the average registered apprentice nationally is about 24 years old and about 27 in West Virginia.
Maus explained practical differences between routine on-the-job training and a registered apprenticeship: apprentices are hired into a job-first model and progress through a standardized OJT and RTI plan under sponsor oversight, with wage progression tied to demonstrated competencies or time-based benchmarks. He pointed attendees to apprenticeship.gov—s employer and career tools as resources that can be used to prepare and submit registration materials.
Why it matters: presenters said registered apprenticeships provide employers a predictable way to develop skills their operations need while offering workers an earn-while-you-learn path to credentials and higher lifetime earnings. The guidance is intended to help West Virginia employers start and register programs and to expand the state—s pipeline of skilled workers.
The summit session closed with an offer from the Department of Labor representatives to assist employers and sponsors with registration questions and technical assistance.
