Independent Electrical Contractors (IEC) celebrated National Apprenticeship Week (April 26-May 2) by highlighting the critical role apprenticeship and workforce development programs play in strengthening America’s electrical industry and addressing the nation’s growing skilled labor shortage.
Across the country, IEC chapters and contractor members continue to invest in the next generation of electricians through earn-while-you-learn apprenticeship opportunities that prepare workers for long-term, rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
Natasha Sherwood, IEC’s Director of Chapter and Workforce Development, joined a panel at the U.S. Department of Labor for National Apprenticeship Week celebrating association efforts to expand apprenticeship.
“Apprenticeship growth is driven by collaboration, shared ideas, and a commitment to helping others succeed,” Sherwood said. “It is not just a workforce strategy—it’s an economic driver, a debt-free career pathway, and a proven solution for employers who need skilled talent now.”
“The need for workforce development solutions has never been greater, as America needs 80,000 net new electricians per year for the next decade to meet industry demand,” Sherwood said. “The Trump administration wants to create 1 million new apprentices and that road runs right through electrical and construction industry apprenticeship programs.”
Recent IEC analysis of DOL data found that the construction industry produced approximately 313,000 to 336,000 active apprentices and created an estimated 38,000 to 43,000 completers of four-to-five-year registered apprenticeship programs in FY2025.
According to DOL data, growth in merit shop construction apprenticeship programs, participants, and completers—key metrics evaluating the workforce pipeline served by the RAP system— is accelerating at a significantly faster rate than union programs. Since 2020, the number of nonunion apprenticeship programs grew by 40.3% compared to a decline of 11.3%.
In addition, since 2020 the number of nonunion apprentices participating in construction RAPs has grown by more than 60%, compared to roughly 20% growth on the union side. Likewise, nonunion programs experienced a 48% growth in the number of completers since 2020, while union program completers increased by 21.7%.
Importantly, this growth is not just incremental—it reflects a higher rate of expansion on a per-program and per-participant basis. Merit shop programs are scaling faster, adding apprentices more quickly and producing completers at a higher rate. By contrast, union apprenticeship programs, while still a significant part of the construction industry’s RAP system (68% of all construction industry apprentices are enrolled in union-affiliated programs), have shown comparatively slower growth and, in some cases, stagnant or declining program totals.
According to recent research by Geo Strategy Partners, IEC’s 21,605 apprentices composed 32% of all 67,670 merit shop electrician apprentices in 2025. Likewise, 50% of all electrician apprentices were enrolled in merit shop programs. IEC believes that apprenticeship programs are one of the most effective tools available to address these workforce shortages while creating career pathways that do not require a traditional four-year college degree.
Congress Proposes Apprenticeship Legislation
In addition, during National Apprenticeship Week, lawmakers in Congress introduced several proposals aimed at improving and modernizing the registered apprenticeship system.
On April 27, U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-La., Chairman of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, introduced two apprenticeship-related bills designed to improve transparency, accountability, and efficiency within the federal and state apprenticeship system.
One proposal, the Streamlining Timely Apprenticeship Registration and Transparency (START) Act, would establish deadlines requiring state apprenticeship agencies to approve or deny complete apprenticeship applications within 90 days and respond to incomplete applications within 30 days. The legislation would also establish accountability measures for agencies that fail to meet those timelines.
IEC supports recent efforts by Congress and the U.S. DOL to create greater certainty and transparency for apprenticeship sponsors navigating the registration process. Delays and inconsistent program approval application timelines can create unnecessary barriers for employers seeking to expand workforce training opportunities in their communities.
IEC’s apprenticeship programs continue to play a major role in training America’s future electricians. Through 53 IEC chapters nationwide, 22,000 electrical apprentices are receiving classroom instruction and on-the-job training this year while earning a paycheck and building practical skills that directly support the nation’s growing energy, infrastructure, manufacturing, and construction needs.
As policymakers continue discussions on workforce development and apprenticeship reform, IEC remains committed to ensuring contractors, employers, program providers, and apprentices have the tools and flexibility necessary to meet America’s workforce challenges and expand opportunities in the skilled trades.