American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund

What the Incentive Fund is:

The American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund is managed by the Arkansas Department of Commerce and is fully funded ($35.8M) through a cooperative agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor. The fund was created to address the urgent need to grow and modernize the U.S. manufacturing workforce and in direct response to the national call (White House Executive Order 14278) to expand access to high-quality registered apprenticeship programs.

The funds are available to Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors nationally through the American Manufacturing Apprenticeship Incentive Fund.

See list of eligible occupations: American Advanced Manufacturing Incentive Fund List of Approved Occupation

How the Incentive Fund Works:

The Incentive Fund operates using a pay‑for‑performance model that ties funding directly to measurable results.

Key elements include:

• $3,500 Incentive per Apprentice: Registered Apprenticeship Sponsors receive $3,500 for each apprentice, up to 100 apprentices per employer and up to 10 employers per sponsor, who successfully completes a 90-day probationary period, ensuring incentives are tied to meaningful progress and retention.
• Registered Apprenticeship Program Sponsors can retain up to 10% of the incentive payment, and the remaining 90% or more will be provided to the apprentice’s employer(s) by the sponsor who received the payment.
• Supports a Wide Range of Apprentices: Funds may be used for newly enrolled apprentices, incumbent workers receiving upskilling, and eligible former apprentices entering new advanced manufacturing pathways.
• Application
• FAQs

For questions regarding the American Manufacturing Incentive Fund, please use the contact information below:

• Email: OSD.MFGfund@arkansas.gov
• Phone number: 501-682-6546