Governor Stein Proclaims National Apprenticeship Week

National Apprenticeship Week

2026

By The Governor Of The State Of North Carolina

A Proclamation

Whereas, North Carolina has been ranked first in workforce development and remains focused on training new talent and advancing the skills of employees to create careers and to meet the needs of North Carolina businesses; and

Whereas, North Carolina has ranked in the top two states for business for five consecutive years and remains committed to supporting the growth of North Carolina businesses; and 

Whereas, North Carolina will pursue all efforts to bring new business and industry to our state and grow the North Carolina economy; employers must work hard to find qualified applicants to fill open positions; and 

Whereas, some employers say it will be easier to find qualified workers when applicants have relevant education, technical skills, and durable skills; and

Whereas, the State of North Carolina is committed to connecting job seekers to employers through our secondary and post-secondary education system, our workforce development system, and ApprenticeshipNC; and

Whereas, Registered Apprenticeships are a proven means of opening doors of opportunity for young people and training individuals for the jobs in high-growth, high-demand fields with family-sustaining wages; and these apprenticeships serve as a valuable resource for strengthening North Carolina’s workforce and growing our economy; and

Whereas, North Carolina aims to set the national pace in growing the number of skilled workers, including doubling the number of Registered Apprentices over the next three years; and

Whereas, employers around the state in partnerships with ApprenticeshipNC have created apprenticeship programs to help develop talented workforces for their industries; and 

Whereas, last year 16,446 Registered Apprentices and Pre-Apprentices were served along with 3,224 employers and 1,443 sponsors in fields like health care, education, IT, construction/skilled trades, and advanced manufacturing;

Now, Therefore, I, Josh Stein, Governor of the State of North Carolina, do hereby proclaim April 26 – May 2, 2026, as “National Apprenticeship Week” in North Carolina and commend its observance to all residents.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in Raleigh this thirtieth day of March in the year of our Lord two thousand and twenty-sixth and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and fiftieth.