A New Incentive Helps Manufacturers Hire Apprentices

There’s a new incentive for manufacturers employing apprentices. The American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund is a near-term funding opportunity with long-term impact, providing $3,500 per apprentice to help manufacturers build scalable, sustainable talent pipelines.

Learn more about what the new fund entails and how your manufacturing company might qualify. Early planning is key because funds are limited and eligibility, documentation, and retention requirements determine whether funds are received.

What is the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund?

The American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund (AMAIF) is a federal initiative launched in December 2025 by the U.S. Department of Labor to strengthen and expand registered apprenticeship programs across the advanced manufacturing sector.

Employers and apprenticeship sponsors may receive a $3,500 incentive for each newly enrolled apprentice retained for a minimum of 90 days.

AMAIF may reduce the burden of upfront costs associated with hiring and training new talent while supporting long-term workforce strategies. By incentivizing participation in registered apprenticeship programs, the initiative helps manufacturers develop sustainable talent pipelines and build a skilled workforce.

Who can qualify for the AMAIF?

Eligible applicants include individual employers sponsoring their own Registered Apprenticeship Programs, as well as group or consortium sponsors such as industry associations, workforce intermediaries, and training partnerships.

The AMAIF program supports 120 advanced manufacturing occupations involved in registered apprenticeship programs. Apprentices can include newly hired individuals entering the workforce, incumbent workers being upskilled, and even prior apprentices enrolling in new programs.

This flexibility allows manufacturers to align the program with both immediate hiring needs and long-term workforce development strategies.

The AMAIF helps manufacturers offset costs today while building the skilled workforce they need for tomorrow.

How does the apprenticeship incentive work?

Participation in AMAIF follows a structured process requiring careful coordination between application, approval, and program implementation. Employers and sponsors must navigate eligibility considerations, formal agreements, and apprentice enrollment requirements to position themselves for incentive payments.

Given the program’s performance-based structure, establishing the right processes upfront is critical to successful outcomes.

To qualify for the incentive, apprentices must be enrolled on or after the program’s launch and retained for at least 90 days. Once retention requirements are verified, employers or sponsors submit the necessary documentation to receive the $3,500 per-apprentice payment.

Start planning now: Funding is limited, and the incentive will terminate once all available funds have been distributed.

How CLA can help with the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund

CLA’s experienced manufacturing professionals can help you approach AMAIF as part of a broader strategy for strengthening your business and workforce. We can:

• Assess your eligibility and readiness for AMAIF participation
• Guide you through the intake application process
• Support compliance, reporting, and data tracking (RAPIDS/SAA)
• Coordinate employer partnerships and documentation (MOUs, Employer Agreements)
• Prepare proper fund disbursement and financial compliance
• Help you align apprenticeship strategy with long-term workforce development goals

Contact us

Would you like to explore your organization’s eligibility and potential apprentice benefits? Complete the form below to connect with CLA.