National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is an annual, week-long celebration that gives businesses, communities, and educators the opportunity to showcase their apprenticeship programs to their communities and nationally while providing valuable information to career seekers. NAW was established by the U.S. Department of Labor and was first held November 1-7, 2015. Since that time, stakeholders have hosted more than 3,000 events with more than 300,000 attendees in all 50 states. In response to stakeholder feedback, National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) will now take place in the spring, with the next full celebration scheduled for 2026.
AACC recognizes the vital role apprenticeships play in equipping individuals with the skills needed for high-growth industries, particularly in the expanding electric vehicle (EV) sector. As the demand for EV technicians, battery specialists, and charging infrastructure professionals grows, National Apprenticeship Week serves as a key platform for community colleges to promote their apprenticeship programs and strengthen industry partnerships.
Key Objectives for National Apprenticeship Week
- Showcase EV Apprenticeship Programs – Highlight the college’s role in training skilled workers for EV manufacturing, battery technology, charging infrastructure, and clean energy sectors.
- Engage Industry and Community Partners – Strengthen relationships with industry partners including automotive manufacturers, energy providers, and policymakers who support EV workforce development.
- Recruit Future Apprentices – Provide prospective students, parents, educators, and job seekers with firsthand exposure to career pathways in EV-related industries.
- Recognize Employer Contributions – Celebrate businesses that have partnered with the college to offer EV apprenticeships and develop a skilled workforce.
- Expand Public Awareness – Raise visibility of apprenticeship programs and their role in addressing EV workforce shortages and economic growth.
Some of the events and activities that community colleges have been involved in related to NAW include apprenticeship program open houses for career seekers, skills competitions, community forums, apprentice graduations, business open houses, high school or college career fairs, apprenticeship signing days, and industry roundtable events. There also may be opportunities to leverage existing venues or events in order to maximize public notice, and attendance.
Colleges that wish to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week should begin planning early and ensure that the dates for specific events are provided to all interested parties with sufficient lead time to ensure invitations can be sent, calendars can be aligned, and all the requisite arrangements can be made.
Steps to Organize a Successful National Apprenticeship Week Event
- Define the Focus for the Week
- Structure NAW activities around different aspects of EV apprenticeship training, such as:
- Day 1: EV Manufacturing & Production Careers – Highlight opportunities in battery assembly, vehicle assembly, and supply chain logistics.
- Day 2: EV Maintenance & Charging Infrastructure – Showcase automotive technician apprenticeships, charging station installation, and grid modernization.
- Day 3: Employer & Industry Engagement Day – Host roundtable discussions, employer panels, and networking sessions.
- Day 4: Student Recruitment & Career Exploration – Organize open houses, campus tours, and apprenticeship signing ceremonies.
- Day 5: Policy & Funding Day – Engage state and federal policymakers, workforce boards, and economic development agencies to discuss funding opportunities and incentives.
- Engage Key Stakeholders
- Invite employer partners, policymakers, workforce development boards, and industry leaders to participate.
- Ensure apprentices and program alumni share their experiences to inspire future apprentices.
- Partner with high schools, technical centers, and career coaches to promote EV apprenticeship pathways.
- Plan Event Logistics
- Select venues that enhance participation, such as EV training centers, automotive labs, or employer worksites.
- Send invitations early to maximize attendance from industry and education stakeholders.
- Promote the Event
- Develop a multi-channel marketing strategy that includes:
- Social media campaigns highlighting success stories and apprenticeship benefits.
- Email and website promotions targeting employers and prospective apprentices.
- Press releases and media outreach to secure coverage from local and industry news outlets.
- Prepare Participants
- Ensure speakers and apprentices are comfortable discussing their experiences and answering questions.
- Provide media training or talking points for those engaging in public discussions.
- Document and Evaluate the Week’s Impact
- Capture photos, videos, and testimonials to support future marketing efforts.
- Collect feedback from attendees to measure success and identify areas for improvement.
Suggested Additions for Further Impact
- EV Technology Demonstrations – Offer live demonstrations of EV charging stations, battery technology, or vehicle diagnostics.
- Employer Panel Discussions – Feature industry leaders discussing workforce needs and apprenticeship success stories.
- Apprenticeship Signing Ceremonies – Celebrate new apprentices entering EV-related training programs.
- Virtual Engagement Opportunities – Provide live-streamed sessions and virtual facility tours to reach a broader audience.
- Collaboration with Local Dealerships and Repair Shops – Highlight apprenticeship pathways for automotive technicians transitioning to EV technology.
By hosting a well-organized National Apprenticeship Week, focused on EV-related industries, community colleges can strengthen industry partnerships, attract new apprentices, and reinforce their role in preparing a workforce for the clean energy transition.