NABTU TradesFutures National Apprenticeship Readiness Forum

TradesFutures National Apprenticeship Readiness Forum

Tuesday, June 16, 2026 – Wednesday, June 17, 202 5:00 PM-5:00 PM ET

Embassy Suites by Hilton Washington DC Convention Center 900 10th Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20001

The TradesFutures National Apprenticeship Readiness Forum will convene leaders from across the apprenticeship ecosystem for a first-of-its-kind conference that fosters connection, learning, and strategic dialogue focused on expanding access to high-quality registered apprenticeships and union construction careers and strengthening Apprenticeship Readiness Programs (ARPs) nationwide. The Forum is designed to balance high-level national perspectives with practical, program-level learning, creating space for both inspiration and implementation.

Agenda Overview

Tuesday, June 16, 2026

2:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Infrastructure Pathways Project Meeting (invitation only)

This meeting of the Infrastructure Pathways Project (IPP) will bring together cohort members and technical assistance providers for a set of discussions and working sessions.

6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Welcome Reception & Opening Convening

The Forum will begin with an evening welcome reception designed to foster relationship-building across regions, sectors, and roles. This opening convening will provide attendees an opportunity to connect informally with peers, labor leaders, workforce partners, and industry stakeholders while setting the stage for the conversations ahead.

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

8:30 AM – 5:00 PM: Plenary Conversations & Breakout Sessions

The full Forum day will feature a mix of plenary conversations, fireside chats, and interactive breakout sessions highlighting national trends, policy priorities, and proven practices emerging from Apprenticeship Readiness Programs across the country.

Plenary & Fireside Conversations

Plenary sessions will anchor the day with national perspectives from labor, industry, and policy leaders, exploring the evolving role of apprenticeship readiness in meeting workforce demand and advancing the union construction trades. Topics may include:

The state of Apprenticeship Readiness Programs nationwide
Labor and industry perspectives on workforce readiness and placement
Funding and policy frameworks supporting sustainable ARPs
Emerging industries and workforce needs shaping the future of construction

Breakout & Workshop Sessions

Interactive breakout sessions will allow participants to engage more deeply with peers around practical challenges and solutions. Sessions will spotlight both established and emerging models, including:

ARPs as Workforce Intermediaries The expanding role of ARPs in policy alignment, local hire strategies, and community engagement.
Placement Best Practices Strategies for strengthening union and contractor partnerships to improve participant outcomes and apprenticeship entry.
Apprenticeship Readiness as Policy How state and local policies—such as apprentice utilization, local hire requirements, and public funding structures—can drive program outcomes.
School-Based Apprenticeship Readiness Exploring the future of high-school-based readiness models and early exposure to the trades.
Staying Ahead of Industry Needs Integrating MC3 with emerging industries, including energy, infrastructure, data centers, and technology-driven construction work.

Breakout sessions will emphasize peer learning, practical tools, and transferable strategies that programs can adapt to their local contexts.

Who Should Attend

The Forum is designed for:

Apprenticeship Readiness Program leadership

Labor leaders and JATC representatives

Workforce development organizations

Union - aligned construction employers and industry partners

Funders, policymakers, and system leaders

Program Note

Agenda topics, session formats, and speakers are subject to change as the program is finalized. Additional details, including confirmed speakers and session times, will be shared with registered attendees in advance of the event.

The National Apprenticeship Readiness Forum is supported by the United States Department of Labor. A total of $10,000, or 10 percent of the event will be financed with federal funds, and $90,000, or 90 percent will be funded by other sources.

REGISTRATION