Advancing the Future of Apprenticeship Through Collaboration

Key Summary

At the 2026 Apprenticeships for America Summit in Washington, D.C., leaders from industry, education, workforce development, and government explored how apprenticeships are evolving into a strategic workforce solution for industries facing talent shortages and rapidly changing skills needs. 

David Hernandez, VP of Education at the Global Electronics Association, highlights the importance of collaboration, employer-centered design, and cross-state coordination to scale apprenticeship programs while maintaining flexibility and local responsiveness.

By David Hernandez, VP, Education, Global Electronics Association

Last week, I had the opportunity to spend several days in Washington, D.C., participating in the 2026 Apprenticeships for America Summit alongside employers, workforce leaders, educators, policymakers, intermediaries, and apprenticeship advocates from across the country.

The summit brought together leaders committed to strengthening and scaling apprenticeship as a workforce solution for industries facing persistent talent shortages and rapidly evolving skills needs. Discussions throughout the week focused on employer engagement, return on investment, state and regional systems, expanding access, and the practical challenges that continue to impact apprenticeship growth. One thing became increasingly clear during the summit: apprenticeship is no longer simply a workforce initiative. It is becoming a strategic imperative for employers looking to build sustainable talent pipelines and develop workforce capacity for the future.

A highlight of the week for me was moderating the panel discussion, “Closer to Employers, Tougher to Scale: Solving the Cross-State Apprenticeship Puzzle,” featuring Melanie Flowers, Chief Workforce Strategy Officer at Craft Education; Lisa McIntyre-Hite, Chief Operating Officer at the Competency-Based Education Network (C-BEN); and John Ladd, Senior Advisor at Jobs for the Future (JFF). The session explored one of the most pressing questions facing apprenticeship expansion today: how do we maintain the employer responsiveness and local partnerships that make apprenticeship successful while creating systems capable of supporting multi-state scale?

For many employers operating nationally, apprenticeship programs often encounter varying state requirements, registration processes, funding structures, data practices, and implementation models. While local flexibility is important, these differences can create friction when organizations attempt to expand successful programs across state lines. The discussion focused on what it will take to reduce that friction.

Panelists explored the role intermediaries and industry associations can play in creating stronger alignment across regions, establishing shared standards, improving transparency around data and outcomes, and leveraging technology-enabled collaboration to support scale without sacrificing quality. The conversation also highlighted the importance of competency-based approaches and employer-centered design. As industries evolve and workforce needs change more rapidly, apprenticeship systems must become more adaptable, portable, and easier for employers to engage with.

One takeaway that resonated throughout the discussion was that scale does not require uniformity; it requires coordination. Moving apprenticeship forward will depend on stronger collaboration between industry, workforce systems, educators, intermediaries, and state partners to build frameworks that preserve local strengths while reducing unnecessary complexity. What made the panel especially impactful was that it moved beyond identifying challenges and focused instead on advancing practical solutions and shared ownership. 

For organizations like the Global Electronics Association, this conversation is particularly relevant as the advanced manufacturing and electronics industries continue facing workforce shortages and increasing demand for skilled talent. Employers need solutions that are flexible enough to meet local workforce needs while scalable enough to support national growth strategies. Today, the Association continues advancing apprenticeship as part of a broader workforce development strategy for the electronics industry. We continue to focus on helping employers adopt and scale programs that align with industry needs while creating clear career pathways for workers.

Employers can engage through multiple pathways depending on their workforce needs: implementing a Registered Apprenticeship Program to develop new talent, using apprenticeship models to upskill incumbent workers, or participating in broader workforce pipeline efforts that connect education, training, and industry partners. This flexibility is critical because workforce challenges vary by company, region, and stage of growth. 

The future of apprenticeship will depend on partnerships, innovation, and a willingness to rethink how systems work together. I left Washington encouraged by the momentum and the growing recognition that apprenticeship is not only an effective workforce strategy but also an essential component of building the workforce our industries will need tomorrow.

At the Global Electronics Association, we are already seeing that momentum translate into action. Our apprenticeship efforts continue to expand across employers and occupations, demonstrating that industry-led approaches can create a measurable impact. As more organizations adopt apprenticeship to recruit new talent, upskill existing employees, and strengthen workforce pipelines, we are building a stronger foundation for the future of electronics manufacturing—one partnership, one apprentice, and one success story at a time.