13 July 2026

Apply for the Strengthening Apprenticeship Intermediaries (SAI): Innovators Forum

Now Recruiting Applicants

Format: One-year, peer-driven forum

Number of Organizations Selected: 9

Application Deadline: August 7, 2026

Online Application: SAI Innovators Forum Application

Anticipated Notification: By August 19, 2026

Anticipated Cohort Kickoff: September 2026

Questions? Contact Joe Thiry at AIR

The Strengthening Apprenticeship Intermediaries (SAI): Innovators Forum is a selective, one-year opportunity for apprenticeship intermediaries to collaborate, learn, and strengthen employer-centered Registered Apprenticeship programs.

Hosted by AIR with support from Ascendium Education Group, the forum will bring together a small cohort of state and local organizations to share strategies, tackle real-world challenges, and elevate effective approaches to expanding apprenticeship.

Selected organizations will join a national peer network, gain exposure to new models and strategies, increase visibility for their work, and contribute insights that can inform future apprenticeship resources, research, policy conversations, and funding strategies.

Each selected organization will receive a $15,000 stipend—provided by AIR with support from the Ascendium Education Group—to offset costs and recognize the leadership each organization contributes to the Forum.

AIR plans to run three consecutive SAI Innovators Forums between Fall 2026 and Summer 2029. This application is for Cohort 1, which will launch in September 2026. Organizations not selected for Cohort 1 may be considered for future cohorts.

Apply by August 7, 2026

What Is the SAI Innovators Forum?

Employer engagement and adoption remain among the biggest limiting factors in scaling Registered Apprenticeship nationally, even for organizations already experienced in this work. The SAI Innovators Forum is designed for intermediaries that are leading in this space and have practical experience building, managing, and expanding employer-centered apprenticeship models.

Apprenticeship intermediaries are organizations that help employers, education and training providers, workforce partners, and other stakeholders design, launch, expand, and improve U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship programs. Intermediaries may also serve as Registered Apprenticeship program sponsors, taking on formal responsibility for program administration, employer coordination, compliance, and continuous improvement.

Through this selective one-year experience, participating organizations will learn from strong models across the country, compare approaches with peers, and examine how different intermediaries are approaching employer engagement, program management, and apprenticeship expansion in practice.

The Forum is also designed to help shape the broader field. Selected intermediaries will contribute real-world insights, employer perspectives, and practical examples that can help ensure future apprenticeship resources and solutions are grounded in what it actually takes to expand and sustain Registered Apprenticeship.

What Participation Looks Like

The SAI Innovators Forum is an applied learning experience focused on real work, peer exchange, and practical improvement. Participants will take part in two 90-minute virtual sessions each quarter, with the third month reserved for applying what they learn and supporting employer interview activities.

Participating organizations will:

Join virtual workshops with AIR experts and cohort peers on topics such as employer engagement, program design and delivery, partner coordination, data and apprentice support, sustainability, and field-building strategies.
Participate in one Peer Practice Exchange by sharing a real strategy, challenge, tool, process, or work-in-progress item and receiving feedback from peers.
Identify employers for AIR-led interviews to capture employer perspectives on apprenticeship needs, barriers, partnership experiences, and opportunities for improvement.
Contribute insights, examples, and lessons learned that can inform future resources for intermediaries, policymakers, funders, and systems leaders.

Participation Expectations

Selected organizations will be expected to:

Identify a team lead and 1–2 core team members.
Participate in 8 virtual workshops and peer learning activities during the year.
Present once during the year as part of a Peer Practice Exchange.
Identify three employers for AIR-led interviews, make introductions, and support scheduling.
Engage in research-related activities, such as interviews, reflection discussions, sharing apprentice enrollment information, or reviewing draft case study materials.
Share updates on apprenticeship activity, including apprentice participation, employer engagement, implementation progress, and key lessons learned.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Be a sponsor or active intermediary engaged in U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship work.
Have active employer partners connected to apprenticeship development, expansion, implementation, or improvement.
Be a single-state or locally based intermediary organization.
Be actively working to expand or strengthen apprenticeship efforts, such as growing employer partnerships, occupations, apprentice participation, or completions.
Be willing to report quarterly apprenticeship enrollment information during the forum year.
Submit a leadership letter of support with the application.

Application Process

Application Timeline

Application opens: July 15, 2026

Application deadline: August 7, 2026

Organizations notified: By August 19, 2026

Cohort kickoff: September 2026

Applications must be submitted through the online application form by August 7, 2026. AIR will review applications through a competitive process to identify organizations that are strongly positioned to participate fully, contribute to peer learning, and advance employer-centered apprenticeship practice.

Application Instructions

Applicants should complete the online application form here: SAI Innovators Forum Application.

Applicants are encouraged to review the application sections below before beginning the online form. Each section can be expanded for a quick look at the information requested, including key prompts and word limits where applicable. Application Instructions (PDF)

Section 1. Organizational Information

Organization name:

Website:

Primary contact name:

Title:

Email:

Type of organization:

Examples: workforce board, nonprofit intermediary, industry association, labor-management partnership, employer collaborative, education/training partner, public agency, other.

Location/geography served:

Industry focus:

Please identify the primary industries or sectors connected to your Registered Apprenticeship work.

Occupational focus:

Please list the occupation(s) where your organization currently sponsors, or is expanding, Registered Apprenticeship.

Employer group focus:

Please list the employer groups(s) where your organization currently works with or is expanding Registered Apprenticeship, if applicable.

Section 2. Apprenticeship Role and Experience

Maximum 400 words

Describe your organization’s role in Registered Apprenticeship.

Section 3. Expansion Plans

Maximum 300 words

Describe how your organization is currently expanding or strengthening Registered Apprenticeship.

Section 4. Employer Engagement Practices

Maximum 400 words

Describe how your organization identifies, engages, and maintains employer relationships as part of its apprenticeship work.

Section 5. Key Partners

Maximum 250 words

Describe your organization’s relationship with state agencies and other key partners involved in Registered Apprenticeship.

Section 6. Example of Strong, Innovative, or Promising Practice

Maximum 250 words

Share one example of a strong, innovative, or promising practice your organization has used to strengthen your apprenticeship work.

Section 7. Participation and Peer Contribution

Maximum 250 words

The SAI Innovators Forum is designed for active peer learning. Participants will be expected to share real examples, ask questions, offer feedback, and bring one live challenge or work-in-progress item to a Peer Practice Exchange.

Section 8. Team Members

Please identify the team members who would participate in the SAI Innovators Forum.