Washington, D.C. — The Department of Labor is making $85 million available to states and territories to expand registered apprenticeship programs — and long-term care advocates say the money could help fill the growing workforce gap in nursing homes, if states choose to use it that way.
The announcement, made April 13, marks the fourth round of State Apprenticeship Expansion Formula (SAEF) funding. Unlike a direct grant to providers, the money flows to state workforce agencies, which then decide which industries and occupations to prioritize.
That caveat matters. The grants are primarily aimed at reviving U.S. manufacturing and advancing the Trump administration’s goal of reaching one million active apprentices nationwide. Long-term care doesn’t make that headline. But aging services advocates are pushing to make sure it makes the list.
“This funding could benefit aging services providers — particularly long-term services and supports — if states choose to prioritize LTSS occupations and if providers are able to connect with their state apprenticeship and workforce systems,” said Molly Carpenter, director of workforce strategy and development at the LeadingAge LTSS Center at UMass Boston.
She pointed to Michigan, Kansas, and Missouri as states with strong enough apprenticeship infrastructure to serve as a model. “LeadingAge encourages our state partners and members to engage early with their state agencies to explore opportunities,” she added.
Why It Matters for Nursing Homes
Nursing homes have faced a stubborn staffing crisis for years. The U.S. is projected to be short nearly 250,000 licensed practical nurses by 2038, and the pipeline of certified nursing assistants hasn’t kept up with demand. CNA programs have historically been one of the clearest entry points into the long-term care workforce — exactly the kind of occupation registered apprenticeships are designed to grow.
For facilities struggling to find and keep workers, the SAEF grants represent an opportunity — but a hands-off one. States hold the keys. Providers who want a piece of this funding will need to get in front of their state workforce agencies now, before priorities get set and dollars get allocated.
Industry associations are already making that case. AHCA/NCAL flagged the grants as aligned with its Caregivers for Tomorrow workforce initiative, noting that funding for skills training and ongoing development is central to meeting demand in an aging population.
How the Money Works
SAEF grants are formula-driven, based on each state’s recent growth in active and new apprentices. To qualify, states must commit to statewide expansion goals, reserve a portion of funds for priority industries, and demonstrate they’re leveraging at least 50% of their allocation through additional federal or state resources.
Funds can be used to hire apprenticeship navigators, align programs with career and technical education, and develop incentive structures to grow participation. The prior round, announced last July, totaled $84 million.
“At a time of persistent workforce challenges across aging services, the US Department of Labor’s $85 million investment represents a significant opportunity to build sustainable talent pipelines at the state level,” Carpenter said.
Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer put the stakes plainly: “To reach and exceed President Trump’s goal of 1 million active apprentices, states are essential partners in achieving this meaningful expansion.”
Whether nursing homes are actually at the table when those state plans get written — that’s the question the industry will have to answer for itself.
