Fund will provide up to $6,000 per new apprentice to expand the workforce supporting semiconductor and nuclear energy infrastructure industries

BOSTON, Nov. 3, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Jobs for the Future (JFF), a national nonprofit that drives transformation in the U.S. education and workforce systems, today announced the launch of the Super Intelligence (SI), Semiconductor, and Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, as part of the U.S. Department of Labor’s Pay-for-Performance (PfP) Incentive Payments Program. The fund will expand Registered Apprenticeship in high-demand occupations across the Super Intelligence, semiconductor, and nuclear energy infrastructure sectors.

“As industries transform and new technologies emerge, the workforce must be ready to grow alongside them, building the skills and capacity to power innovation across the economy,” said Maria Flynn, president and CEO of JFF. “Registered Apprenticeship gives employers a proven way to develop skilled talent while creating paid pathways to quality jobs. By administering the SI, Semiconductor, and Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Apprenticeship Incentive Fund, JFF looks forward to helping more employers expand Registered Apprenticeship and strengthen the skilled workforce these critical industries need.”

The PfP Incentive Payments Program is one of the Trump administration’s national initiatives to grow Registered Apprenticeships toward the goal of reaching and surpassing one million active apprentices. Under a pay-for-performance model, Registered Apprenticeship sponsors can receive direct payments of up to $6,000 per apprentice to support the hiring and retention of new apprentices, reduce barriers for employers, and help train Americans for in-demand careers across priority industries nationwide.

Employers across the Super Intelligence, semiconductor, and nuclear energy sectors face growing demand for workers who can build and maintain critical infrastructure, including data centers, semiconductor fabrication facilities, and nuclear and energy sites. The initiative is designed to help employers and apprenticeship sponsors build stronger talent pipelines by tying funding directly to the hiring, retention, and progress of apprentices.

Over the four-year initiative, the fund aims to:

• Expand apprenticeship opportunities across more than 40 states
• Support the hiring and retention of more than 6,200 apprentices
• Support the growth of new and existing Registered Apprenticeship programs

JFF will administer the fund and work with a national coalition of industry, sector, and workforce partners to help sponsors launch or expand Registered Apprenticeship programs, hire apprentices, and build the skilled workforce needed to construct, operate, and maintain critical infrastructure. Partners include Apprenticeship Alliance, Inc.; Center for Energy Workforce Development; Global Electronics Association; Independent Electrical Contractors; JobForward; National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement; NextFlex; and University of Cincinnati.

Applications are now open to eligible sponsors of U.S.-based Registered Apprenticeship programs. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis while funds remain available. Sponsors can review more details about the fund, including eligibility requirements, supported occupations, and application instructions at jff.org/pfp-apprenticeship-fund.

The SI, Semiconductor, and Nuclear Energy Infrastructure Apprenticeship Incentive Fund is financed 100% with federal funds from the U.S. Department of Labor under a total grant award of $40 million.

About Jobs for the Future
JFF is building a future that works for everyone by transforming U.S. education and workforce systems to drive economic success for people, businesses, and communities. Learn more at www.jff.org.

Yveneka Lestin, ylestin@jff.org

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SOURCE JOBS FOR THE FUTURE INC