Lt. Governor Aruna Miller, Department of Labor Mark National Apprenticeship Week with Awards

National Apprenticeship Week Event Celebrates State's Growing Workforce

ANNAPOLIS, MD (April 27,2026) - Today, Maryland celebrated the power and promise of Registered Apprenticeship to create opportunity for residents and grow our state's economy at an event marking National Apprenticeship Week.

Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller joined Assistant Secretary Erin J. Roth, of the Maryland Department of Labor's Division of Workforce Development and Adult Learning, to present the 2026 Maryland Apprenticeship Awards. These awards honor outstanding individuals and organizations for creating life-changing opportunities for Maryland workers, as well as Maryland's Apprentice of the Year and Youth Apprentice of the Year.

"Apprenticeship is one of the clearest pathways we have to turn potential into progress-connecting Marylanders to real careers while strengthening the workforce our economy depends on," said Lt. Governor Miller. "Today's awardees remind us that when we invest in people, we build a stronger, more competitive Maryland for generations to come."

"Apprenticeship is one of the most powerful tools we have to connect Marylanders to well-paying, in-demand careers," said Assistant Secretary Roth. "Today we celebrate the people behind that progress-from apprentices building their futures to the employers investing in talent and strengthening our economy."

Maryland's apprenticeship system continues to reach new heights. Over the past year, Maryland welcomed more than 5,000 new apprentices and set a new record of over 14,000 actively-enrolled registered apprentices. In that same period, Maryland's apprenticeship network grew to over 1,200 participating employers statewide.

This momentum builds on Maryland's landmark investment through the Registered Apprenticeship Investment for a Stronger Economy (RAISE) Act, signed by Governor Wes Moore in 2025. The RAISE Act represents the largest investment in apprenticeship in Maryland history. It supports initiatives like the $5 million Maryland Apprenticeship Incentive Program, which helps employers-including small businesses-hire and train registered apprentices. It also includes a $5 million investment in the Industry Apprenticeship Accelerator Program, designed to scale expansion in fast-growing industries such as healthcare, information technology, public administration, and professional services.

Growing Maryland's healthcare workforce

While apprenticeship has long been a cornerstone of the skilled trades, Maryland is now seeing rapid growth in nontraditional fields that need skilled workers-especially healthcare.

"Apprenticeship is opening new pathways into high-demand healthcare careers while strengthening our healthcare system," said Maryland Department of Health Secretary Dr. Meena Seshamani. "These programs are helping Marylanders build successful careers while ensuring patients across our state have access to high-quality care."

Innovative programs are already delivering results:

• In Baltimore, a partnership led by Baltimore's Promise-in collaboration with Baltimore City Public Schools, the Mayor's Office of Employment Development, Urban Alliance, and supported by philanthropic partners-has connected more than 100 high school students to healthcare career pathways. Students have completed credential-aligned training and are gaining hands-on experience through paid apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship roles with leading hospital systems including Johns Hopkins Health System, the University of Maryland Medical System, and MedStar Health.
• On the Eastern Shore, TidalHealth launched Maryland's first MRI technician apprenticeship, opening doors to in-demand allied health careers.
• Howard Community College introduced a cardiovascular technologist apprenticeship, supporting regional medical facilities.
• The Maryland Department of Health established the nation's first environmental health specialist apprenticeship program in partnership with Morgan State University and the Maryland Professional Employees Council.

"The apprenticeship structure produces well-trained medical imaging technicians and allows us to expand access to this critical service across our region," said Rachel Bomar, Workforce Development Director for TidalHealth. "Plus, this program provides proven career pathways to individuals who might not otherwise have access to this level of training. It's a win-win-win."

This work is gaining even greater momentum through new federal investment. In December 2025, Maryland was awarded federal funds that will in part support healthcare workforce development and expand apprenticeship opportunities, particularly in rural communities.

Maryland Apprenticeship Awards

During today's event, state leaders honored outstanding contributors to Maryland's apprenticeship success, including awards for:

• Outstanding Local Workforce Board: WorkSource Montgomery
• Apprenticeship Employer of the Year: Carter Machinery Company
• Apprenticeship Sponsor of the Year: IBSS Corp.
• Apprenticeship Mentor of the Year: Dr. Kylan Simpson
• Youth Apprentice of the Year: Yeridd Rodriguez
• Apprenticeship Champion: Alicia Dennis
• Apprentice of the Year: Charles Austin Hopson

Each awardee represents the people and partnerships that make apprenticeship a powerful engine for opportunity-helping Marylanders support their families, build lasting careers, and propel the state's economy forward.

"At 26, I was working lawn care, making $16/hour, and I could not see much in the way of advancement," said Charles Austin Hopson, Apprentice of the Year. "Pursuing an apprenticeship with Plumbers and Gasfitters Local 5 has given me valuable skills, camaraderie, and a commitment to doing the best quality work possible. When I look at how far I have come, I get an overwhelming feeling of gratitude."

MEDIA CONTACT:

Dinah Winnick