Toolkit

Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship programs continue to grow in popularity as North America confronts a significant skills shortage and the increasing cost of postsecondary education. Look to these quick references as a support tool for apprenticeship program coordinators, trustees and directors.

Conferences

Institute for Apprenticeship, Training and Education Programs

The Institute for Apprenticeship, Training, and Education Programs offers education on efficient trust fund management and best practices for apprenticeship programs in the United States and Canada.

More Information

E-Learning

An illustrated collection of finance tools including a calculator, glasses, clipboard, magnifying glass, money and a pen

Financial Skills for Life: An Introduction to Personal Finance

Young workers have a lot to learn. Not only are they acquiring new job skills, but it may be the first time many of them have been offered benefits or earned a substantial paycheck. This approachable online course will help new workers build solid personal finances. It highlights the issues they should consider as they are getting started in their jobs and provides helpful tools for the future.

Learn More

Surveys

Top Trends in Apprenticeship Programs: 2024 Survey Report (U.S. and Canada)

This report examines the challenges faced by programs and apprentices, recruitment and retention initiatives, life skills initiatives, program marketing strategies, and the prevalence of mental health and substance use disorder issues within apprenticeship programs as well as the support available to current apprentices.

View Report

Blogs

Articles

Overhead view of two construction workers sitting and talking

Equipped to Help: Workplace Training on Suicide Prevention and Intervention

Benefits Magazine January/February 2026

Workplaces can be a powerful setting for suicide prevention strategies since most people interact with work. One such strategy is gatekeeper training—otherwise known as community helper training—which teaches workers to identify and reach out to co-workers at risk for suicide and connect them to support services.

Construction equipment building the word learning

Growing and Diversifying Apprenticeships: A Partnership Approach to English Language Instruction

Benefits Magazine May/June 2025

An international union has found success in offering community classes, preapprenticeships and adapted apprenticeship programs that integrate English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) instruction. These training models may offer valuable lessons for other organizations.

What's Working: Heavy Metal Summer Experience

Plans & Trusts May/June 2025

Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE) is a nonprofit organization that provides union contractors and apprenticeship programs in the United States and Canada with program design and tools to run their own programs. The camps focus on the sheet metal, plumbing and pipefitting, and electrical trades. What does the program provide to unions? It's an opportunity to get young people excited about working in the trades, provide hands-on experience, and make career connections.

Resources

Apprenticeship Program Answer Guide

This online resource is designed to be a quick reference for apprenticeship program coordinators, trustees and directors, and other interested constituents whenever a question arises. With a focus on practicality, the guide addresses apprenticeship program topics from top to bottom, with subjects ranging from recruiting to audits to trends and more.

View Resource