The Future of Apprenticeships Under Trump
Sara Weissman
March 7, 2025
Proponents of apprenticeships expect meaningful support for the programs under Trump, though some worry his other policies could have negative effects on the system.
Advocates for apprenticeship programs came into a second Trump administration with a rosy outlook on their future.
Historically, these on-the-job training programs have enjoyed bipartisan support, and apprenticeships featured prominently in Project 2025, the conservative policy blueprint for a second Trump administration put forth by the Heritage Foundation, a right-wing think tank. The plan encouraged their expansion, lauding the programs as a meaningful alternative to “the woke-dominated system of public schools and universities.”
But now, apprenticeship proponents are divided on how hopeful to feel.
