The case for growing apprenticeship is clear – and bipartisan. Especially at a moment when AI infrastructure buildout is pushing demand for skilled labor to historic highs, there is a need for apprenticeship to expand rapidly to meet the needs of prospective learners and employers.

But while expanding access to "earn-and-learn" pathways is critical, getting in doesn't guarantee a path to a good career.

Currently, only 45% of registered apprentices finish their programs. Often, it isn't a lack of aptitude or dedication that forces an apprentice off their career path; it is an unexpected, everyday hurdle. A flat tire, a gap in childcare, or a sudden medical expense can be all it takes to derail a promising future.

Increasing apprenticeship completion is one of the most straightforward pathways to growth. Join AFA for an exclusive conversation with Scholarship America as they preview their upcoming 2027 apprenticeship initiative. We will explore the transformative potential of apprenticeship retention grants—scholarships by another name—and how foundations, employers, and unions can use strategic, rapid-response financial support to keep vulnerable apprentices on the job when life happens. Hear from Abigail Seldin, Tom Kriger, and Mallory Dwinal Palisch on Scholarship America’s work in this space, and help shape the conversation.