Research has shown that financial barriers are a primary reason why apprentices don’t complete their apprenticeship programs. In April 2025, Jobs for the Future (JFF), with support from Google.org, launched the National Apprentice Fund (NAF) to address this barrier.

The NAF provides financial assistance to participants in U.S. Registered Apprenticeship programs who are having trouble paying their expenses while participating in the training. The NAF focuses on supporting apprentices in occupations in new and emerging industries, such as health care and technology, that haven’t traditionally used apprenticeships as a talent development model.

It’s not uncommon for people to experience financial challenges when they pursue education or training to gain new skills so they can advance in their careers. Financial burdens vary from person to person, but they can include the cost of the tools or equipment they need to pursue their training or bills for essentials like transportation, child care, and housing. By reducing those kinds of financial stresses and enabling more people to complete Registered Apprenticeships, the NAF aims to help build a stronger U.S. workforce.

With assistance from Champion Impact Capital, One On the Road Garage Apprentice received National Apprenticeship Funding to pursue education and training to advance her career. The funds can be used to cover the cost of equipment, tools, or to cover bills for essentials like transportation or child care and housing. 

JFF is managing the National Apprentice Fund, a $2 million initiative that is providing financial support directly to apprentices. Through the NAF, JFF is:

• Providing 750 apprentices with individual awards of $2,800 per person. Recipients are currently enrolled in a Registered Apprenticeship program, age 18 or older, and experiencing financial barriers that may be impacting their ability to complete their apprenticeship.
• Prioritizing apprentices in growing sectors of the economy that offer opportunities for upward career mobility, including advanced manufacturing, health care, technology, clean energy, and education.
• Assessing the fund’s impact on apprentice outcomes, including retention, completion, and job placement, through a comprehensive evaluation of and ongoing communication with the people who receive funding.
  
  

Recipients of NAF funds are required to remain enrolled in their Registered Apprenticeship programs and make reasonable efforts to complete their training. Recipients may also participate in the program evaluation and may be asked to complete surveys, participate in focus groups, and offer other forms of feedback to help JFF assess the NAF’s impact and help improve future iterations of the program."

Champion Impact Capital is grateful to JFF and the  National Apprentice Fund, supported by Google.org, filling a critical need for apprentices across the country, especially at a time when demand for the talent development model continues to grow across the country. We look forward to evaluating the outcomes of the National Apprentice Fund for and continuing to find ways to support women in the automotive workforce.