It is with tremendous pride and excitement that we present this Annual Report, which chronicles a transformative year for our state's apprenticeship system. In reflecting on the past twelve months, we see growth for the Registered Apprenticeship (RA) program as it has become part of Virginia Works, and also great opportunity to continue improving, learning, and expanding RA across our Commonwealth.

The numbers speak to our collective success: Virginia now proudly supports over 15,000 active apprentices, a result of increased focus, effort, and investments that demonstrate Virginia's commitment to apprenticeship excellence. The Federal- and state-supported HIRED (Hire, Include, Engage, and Deliver) Fund has provided additional support to employers launching new apprenticeship programs, and the Registered Apprenticeship team’s “Apprenticeship Accelerator" is a new component of our employer engagement and technical assistance efforts, providing employers with the tools, resources, and guidance needed to develop high-quality programs.

Beyond expansion, we have focused intently on strengthening the policy framework that supports Registered Apprenticeship. The Apprenticeship Council’s workgroup made significant progress on interstate reciprocity agreements. Our Virginia Works policy workgroup submitted other key policy documents for review including intermediary development, credit for prior learning, and electronic processing. These foundational policies will ensure that Virginia's apprenticeship system is not only growing but evolving to meet the complex needs of our modern economy.

As I review this year's achievements, I am struck by how far we have traveled in such a short time. The strategic vision we set forth has materialized into concrete results that benefit apprentices, employers, and communities across the Commonwealth. Yet even as we celebrate these accomplishments, we know we have work ahead. The apprenticeship landscape continues to evolve rapidly, presenting new opportunities to expand into emerging industries, serve underrepresented populations, and strengthen the connections between apprenticeship and Virginia's broader economic development goals. We remain committed to strategic, thoughtful growth that maintains the quality and rigor that makes Registered Apprenticeship such a powerful workforce development tool.

As you review this report, I hope you will see not just data and statistics, but the individual stories behind them of apprentices launching careers, employers building skilled workforces, and communities strengthening their economies. This is the true measure of our success, and the inspiration for our continued efforts.

With gratitude,

Nicole Overley
Commissioner, Virginia Works
Secretary, Virginia Apprenticeship Council