A sweeping national push to expand career training and paid apprenticeships for high school and college students was launched this week by a powerhouse coalition of labor unions, education nonprofits, and six state governors. The Education and Apprenticeship Accelerator, announced by the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) and CareerWise USA, aims to “make sure every young person has meaningful pathways to good careers—whether that’s through college or through paid, work-based learning,” said AFT President Randi Weingarten.
The new initiative brings together the governors of California, Colorado, Massachusetts, New York, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania, partnering with major labor organizations like the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and national apprenticeship advocates. At its core, the coalition seeks to align high school and community college programs with the rapidly evolving needs of American employers, expanding access to apprenticeships and internships that pay students while they learn.
“We’ve seen firsthand how apprenticeships can transform lives and strengthen our workforce,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. “As governor, I’m proud to join this coalition to help scale these opportunities nationwide.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom called his state “a national leader in growing the number and type of apprenticeships, enabling more Californians to pursue rewarding careers.” Other governors echoed the call for “real-world skills” and paid, hands-on experience as a bridge to higher wages and stable employment.
In a recent New York Times opinion piece, Weingarten argued for a fundamental shift in education priorities: “It’s time to scale up successful programs that create multiple pathways for students so high school is a gateway to both college and career.” She added, “We want to be part of giving students other ways to prepare for work and life. Look how many kids we’ve seen in schools that feel totally at sea.”
Labor partners are central to the Accelerator’s mission. The IUPAT apprenticeship program combines classroom learning and hands-on training in the finishing trades—an approach the union says is essential for building a modern, skilled workforce. “An IUPAT apprenticeship is where careers in the finishing trades start,” the union states, highlighting its commitment to both practical skills and career advancement.
Noel Ginsburg, founder of CareerWise USA, said the Accelerator is designed to break down silos and help government, business, and schools “work together in support of training efforts.” He added, “Instead of working independently and sometimes at cross-purposes, this partnership will help bring systems together so that our gears aren’t grinding, that they are connected and, in fact, we’re moving forward.”
Coalition leaders say they are committed to sharing best practices and scaling successful models across the country—ensuring more students have access to paid, work-based learning as a real option after high school. “This is intended to truly create examples for the country in multiple states that can show how this matters,” said Ginsburg.
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