A highly trained healthcare workforce is essential to economic stability — delivering timely, high-quality care that lowers system costs and fosters healthier, more resilient communities. However, the healthcare industry faces complex workforce challenges including staffing shortages and increasing demand for services. To meet this demand, employers are increasingly turning to Registered Apprenticeship as a proven strategy to develop a skilled healthcare workforce—combining on-the-job training with classroom instruction to build competency and increase retention. In 2025, there were 36,892 registered apprentices served in the healthcare industry, a 43 percent increase over the last 5 years.
“Registered Aapprenticeship is an effective blend of job-related instruction and on-the-job learning that is designed to equip apprentices with the required skills and competencies for their occupation. Registered aApprenticeship requires the participation of a team of mentors and supervisors guiding apprentices through structured on-the job-learning experiences. Mentors support competency development through coaching, assessment, and reflection. The holistic team-based training approach builds moral and a collaborative work environment. Mentors are critical players in the success of any healthcare apprenticeship program.”
Danielle Copeland, Executive Director, H-CAP
Healthcare Registered Apprenticeship Success Story
Growing Their Own: How Northern Regional Hospital Built North Carolina’s First RN Apprenticeship for Young People
Robin Hodgin, Senior Vice President of Patient Services and Chief Nursing Officer of Northern Regional Hospital in Mount Airy, North Carolina, is facing a challenge: “There is a critical shortage of nurses across the country, especially here in North Carolina. In response, Northern Regional Hospital partnered with Surry-Yadkin Works, a regional collaboration between four public school districts and Surry Community College, to create the state’s first youth apprenticeship program for registered nurses. Learn more about their Registered Apprenticeship success here!
High-Demand Apprenticeship Occupations
Competency-Based Occupational Frameworks
In collaboration with the Urban Institute, we offer national frameworks—the course work and on-the-job learning required for occupations in this industry. They are consensus based, meaning they are drafted in cooperation with employers, educators, and other workforce and training experts. Employers and businesses can use these frameworks to fast-track the development of their Registered Apprenticeships. The frameworks are competency based rather than time based, meaning that abilities are emphasized over memorized knowledge or skills. The result is high-quality, competency-based occupational frameworks (CBOFs) that are freely available for all to use.
Healthcare Registered Apprenticeship Resources
Disclaimer Statement: Healthcare resources and speaker presentation content in slide decks and recordings do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment Training Administration, Office of Apprenticeship, nor does mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations imply endorsement by the federal government.