Governor Wes Moore announced December 23, 2025, that Maryland has exceeded all targets set under the Governor’s Apprenticeship Pledge, launched in late 2024 in collaboration with the Maryland Department of Labor and the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. The initiative encouraged employers to expand registered apprenticeship programs, resulting in record participation and new opportunities for residents to earn wages while gaining skills in high-demand fields.
The pledge aimed to engage 500 employers, including at least five additional public agencies, in registered apprenticeship programs. The state surpassed this by partnering with more than 500 employers, encompassing five state agencies and 17 regional, city, and county-level public sector entities. Today, over 1,000 Maryland businesses, organizations, and agencies employ and train registered apprentices.
Maryland sought to recruit more than 5,000 new registered apprentices and exceeded that by more than 200, with over 14,000 Marylanders participating in apprenticeship programs this year, an all-time high that includes an increase of more than 1,500 registered apprentices compared with 2024.
Governor Moore stated, “Apprenticeships are one of Maryland’s most powerful tools for building pathways to good jobs and family-sustaining wages. A year after launching this pledge, we are seeing how partnership between employers, educators, labor, and state agencies can create real opportunity for every Marylander and strengthen the foundation of our economy.”
Maryland Department of Labor Secretary Portia Wu added, “Through apprenticeship, we’re giving both workers and employers what they need to thrive: hands-on learning that leads to successful careers and a workforce prepared for the future. It’s exciting to see employers of all kinds discover the power of apprenticeship—in the public and private sector and across an ever-growing range of fields.”
Expansion covers traditional trades as well as emerging sectors including information technology, healthcare, life sciences, and education. Registered apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training, related classroom instruction, and mentorship, leading to industry-recognized credentials and long-term career paths.
The Maryland Department of Health launched the nation’s first environmental health specialist apprenticeship in partnership with the Maryland Professional Employees Council and Morgan State University. Participants engage in environmental science and public health coursework alongside field experience through rotations at local health departments statewide. The program prepares apprentices for the Registered Environmental Health Specialist/Registered Sanitarian exam administered by the National Environmental Health Association. Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani said, “We are grateful to the multi-agency coalition that worked with us to build this program. These skilled professionals will play a critical role in protecting public health and the environment, from keeping our food safe to controlling the mosquito population.”
The Maryland State Department of Education and Maryland State Education Association established the first statewide teacher registered apprenticeship program. This initiative supports all 24 school districts in recruiting, training, and retaining educators by offering a paid pathway to teaching careers, reducing costs for degrees and licensure. State Superintendent of Schools Dr. Carey M. Wright stated, “By taking a homegrown approach to teacher preparation, the apprenticeship program will help to close teacher shortages across the state. The statewide apprenticeship program works hand-in-hand with the Maryland Grow Your Own Educators Grant Program to develop sustainable career pathways for aspiring teachers from local communities. These initiatives would not be possible without support from the Maryland Department of Labor and our school district partners.”
Private sector involvement began early, with Royal Farms and AstraZeneca among the first signers. AstraZeneca, advancing a $2 billion manufacturing expansion in Maryland, supports apprentices in building careers in life sciences. Governor’s Workforce Development Board Member and AstraZeneca Executive Director and General Manager of Cell Therapy Operations Brian Stamper said, “Signing the Apprenticeship Pledge reflects our commitment to strengthening Maryland’s workforce. We’re proud to support our apprentices as they grow and build rewarding careers in the local life sciences sector.”
Royal Farms Talent Development Specialist Desiree Alexander noted, “Royal Farms signed the Apprenticeship Pledge because we want to invest in the growth of our people and create real career pathways. The apprenticeship model has helped us strengthen our training pipeline, improve retention, and give employees a more structured, supportive path to leadership. We’re seeing stronger skills, more consistency, and higher confidence in the people who complete it.”
For Southern Maryland residents in Calvert, Charles, and St. Mary’s counties, these developments offer accessible entry into stable careers. The region’s ties to federal facilities, such as Naval Air Station Patuxent River, and growing sectors like healthcare and education create demand for skilled workers. Local health departments participate in rotations for environmental health apprentices, while teacher apprenticeships support school districts facing shortages. The programs align with state efforts to build a workforce that meets regional needs, providing paid training without the full burden of traditional education costs.
Registered apprenticeships operate under federal and state oversight, requiring employers to meet training standards while offering progressive wage increases. The Maryland Office of Apprenticeship, established under the 2025 RAISE Act, supports program development and tracking.
More information on Maryland’s registered apprenticeship programs is available at the Maryland Department of Labor website.