ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Governor Wes Moore signed the Registered Apprenticeship Investments for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act of 2025 into law on April 9, 2025, marking the first bill signing of the legislative session. The act aims to expand apprenticeship opportunities across Maryland, connecting more residents with family-sustaining careers while supplying businesses with skilled workers to drive economic growth.
The RAISE Act introduces several measures to broaden Registered Apprenticeship programs. It establishes the Maryland Pay Per Apprentice Program, which offsets hiring and training costs for employers, particularly small businesses. It also invests in intermediaries to link employers, training providers, and program sponsors, simplifying the creation and expansion of apprenticeships. A default 1:1 journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio is codified, with flexibility for non-hazardous fields like IT, healthcare, and education. The law creates the Maryland Office of Registered Apprenticeship Development (MORAD) to oversee and track these programs, supported by a new advisory board to assess their impact.
“In partnership with the General Assembly, we are building pathways to work, wages, and wealth,” Governor Moore said. “The legislation I sign today will help grow our economy and build new pipelines to employment for all.” The signing reflects the Moore-Miller Administration’s focus on workforce development as an economic priority, underscored by choosing this bill as the session’s first.
Lt. Gov. Aruna Miller emphasized inclusivity, stating, “The bills signed today reflect our belief that a stronger economy begins with a workforce that includes everyone.” Maryland Secretary of Labor Portia Wu added, “Apprenticeships are key to building an economy that leaves no one behind. This will help thousands of Marylanders move into high-demand, middle-class careers in a huge range of sectors, from healthcare and infrastructure to cybersecurity.”
The RAISE Act builds on Maryland’s existing apprenticeship framework, managed by the Maryland Department of Labor’s Apprenticeship and Training Program. As of 2024, the state had over 10,000 active apprentices across 1,200 programs, according to federal data from the U.S. Department of Labor. The new law targets growth in emerging industries, addressing workforce shortages noted in a 2023 Maryland Chamber of Commerce report.
“We appreciate the union partners in the AFL-CIO, business and industry champions, local workforce leaders, and the legislature for working in partnership with our team to bring this new law to fruition,” said Erin Roth, assistant secretary of the Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning at the Maryland Department of Labor. “The RAISE Act will remove barriers to economic growth and create opportunity for Maryland workers and businesses alike.”
Nationally, Registered Apprenticeships have gained traction, with over 600,000 participants in 2023, per the U.S. Department of Labor. Maryland’s investment aligns with this trend, aiming to bolster sectors like healthcare, where demand for skilled workers outpaces supply, according to the Maryland Hospital Association.
The signing positions Maryland to enhance workforce training, offering businesses a reliable talent pipeline while providing residents access to stable, well-paying jobs.
