The 2026 Apprenticeships for America Summit

Apprenticeships for America is pleased to open registration for the 2026 AFA Summit.  The Summit will be held from May 19 - 21, 2026 in Washington D.C.

Over the course of three days, the Summit will feature five plenaries, 30 workshop sessions, a celebratory reception, and much more. AFA will also host a set of pre-conference sessions and an intimate social gathering.  

You can expect to hear from experts, advocates, implementers, and influential leaders on topics such as: 

• How state and regional policy spur apprenticeship growth 
• The importance of post-secondary educational partnerships 
• Apprenticeship in emerging industries 
• Strategies for expanding access and enhancing opportunity 
• Exploring apprenticeship’s return on investment 

The Summit will also include numerous opportunities to network with fellow attendees and develop critical connections to the broader apprenticeship ecosystem. 

Pre-Conference Sessions

Dive deeper into the world of apprenticeship by registering for our Pre-Conference Sessions. 

Prior to the official start of the 2026 Summit, AFA will host a set of pre-conference sessions. These provide attendees an opportunity to focus intently on a topic of critical importance with the support of subject matter experts, policy makers, and workforce leaders. 

1. Apprenticeship "Bootcamp"

Apprenticeship has grown significantly in recent years, with many new employers, industries, and training providers adopting these impactful programs. However, newcomers to the apprenticeship ecosystem may find themselves lacking critical information, insights, and best practices. 

Apprenticeships for America is excited to present its Apprenticeship “Bootcamp” to address the needs of individuals and organizations wishing to learn more about how to operate, fund, and expand these programs.  

Click here to learn more about this pre-conference session. To sign up for the Apprenticeship "Bootcamp", add it as an extra during your registration check out process.

2. The Power of Apprenticeship Degrees, presented by Reach University 

Reach University is the nation's only nonprofit accredited university fully dedicated to championing the Apprenticeship Degree. Reach is comprised of three areas including the Teachers College (which operates in 8 states and enrolls over 3000 students), its new Apprenticeship College of Health (opening in January), and its National Center for the Apprenticeship Degree (NCAD). By providing institutions of higher education, employers, and apprentices with a diverse set of support, they have seen their undergraduate enrollment surge and now have over 400 educational and employer partners.

AFA is pleased to collaborate with Reach University to host a pre-conference session focused on the power of Apprenticeship Degrees. This half-day event will highlight the value of Apprenticeship Degrees for learners, employers, and educational institutions, including in-depth perspectives on effective policy, funding, and implementation. Attendees will learn how to design and implement these innovative programs directly from policy experts, appointed officials, and implementing organizations. 

Click here to learn more about this pre-conference session. To sign up for The Power of Apprenticeship Degrees, add it as an extra during your registration check out process.