November included the 10th anniversary of National Apprentice Week, where here in Kentucky we celebrated record breaking apprenticeship participation rates.

Last year there were more than 6500 active apprentices across the state, a record high.

Our McKenzie Spinks spoke with the Department of Workforce Development to break down those numbers and learn more about our apprentices.

From advanced manufacturing to early education to the culinary arts, there are nearly 300 apprenticeship programs available to Kentuckians looking to get started in a new industry.

An example of a registered apprenticeship program could be in the health care field, where The Apprentice completes a related technical instruction, whether with on the job training, resulting in a career occupation or a career goal.

The Apprentice receives a nationally recognized portable credential.

So if they received a credential in a skill here in Kentucky and they had to move or could be accepted in its verification and validation of the skills that The Apprentice has on that particular skill set.

More and more Kentuckians are taking advantage of these programs.

According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, there were 6639 active apprentices in 2023, a 15% increase from the previous year.

Over the past decade, the apprenticeship participation numbers have more than doubled.

The report also shows that the diversity of apprentices has grown.

And we've seen a number of black Kentuckians actively participating has tripled.

164 In 2013, 470 is our last number and the number of women in apprenticeship as has increased as well up to over 1181 were last number of women in registered apprenticeship programs.

Sajjan says.

Apprenticeship programs are a valuable alternative to post-secondary education, both for the apprentices and for Kentucky's economy.

A vast majority of our registered apprenticeship programs are at no cost to The Apprentice, and The Apprentice has an opportunity to earn and learn and receive a recognized credential.

And registered apprenticeship is successful because it shows The Apprentice the is interested in them and it leads to loyalty, dedication and leading to retention with that employer.

We're approximately in 80 in the state of Kentucky, about 87% retention rate that our registered apprenticeships in Kentucky stay with the sponsor or stay in the industry.

It's a win win for employers who have a workforce need, and the growing economy here in Kentucky is leading to the growth and expansion of registered apprenticeship.

For Kentucky Edition, I'm McKenzie Spink.

Thank you, McKenzie.

According to the Kentucky Center for Statistics, the median starting wage for those who complete an apprenticeship is more than $55,000 in the first year.