The City of Philadelphia’s Infrastructure Solutions Team (IST) is excited to celebrate the 11th annual National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) on April 30, 2025. Registered Apprenticeship Programs offer workers with a pathway into the workforce where they can earn while they learn, gaining industry-recognized credentials without the burden of educational debt.

NAW serves as an opportunity to highlight the value of the apprenticeship model and build awareness around quality training programs for jobseekers. Last November marked 10 years of NAW, with representation of over 1,500 apprenticeship programs celebrated across Pennsylvania, and more than 2,500 events and proclamations held nationwide. In response to stakeholder feedback, NAW was moved to the Spring, with a weeklong celebration to resume in 2026.

The IST is working to ensure that infrastructure workers, from planning to construction, reflect the population of Philadelphia. The IST is committed to supporting the pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship landscape by investing in quality programs, aligning supportive resources, and shaping policy to expand access and opportunity for the next generation of skilled trades workers.

The City’s Rebuild trade academies offer full-time 4-6 week paid pre-apprenticeship opportunities to provide hands-on training and a direct connection to union careers. To date, 154 Philadelphians have graduated from Rebuild’s programs, with over 75% entering union apprenticeships or full-time employment across carpentry, masonry, and the various finishing trades.

Philadelphia City Councilmember At-Large Katherine Gilmore Richardson has also long been an advocate for helping career seekers better understand the apprenticeship process. Her office’s fifth Apprenticeship Guidebook was released on April 24th. The guidebook aims to demystify the application process for Philadelphia’s youth and highlight the possible jobs available after graduating from an apprenticeship program. This iteration also includes the Construction Career Map, which the IST released in February 2025.

Join in on the celebration by attending local NAW-related events all month long, including: