Community Health Worker Apprenticeships
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Associated Project
Retaining Employment and Talent After Injury/Illness Network (RETAIN) Evaluation
Prepared for:
Social Security Administration
Key Findings
- CHW registered apprenticeships are growing but remain a small share of workforce demand. The number of registered CHW apprentices increased from 20 in 2015 to 1,126 in 2025, yet apprentices represent only about 14 percent of the roughly 7,800 new CHW openings annually.
- Apprenticeships provide structured, paid pathways to credentialing. CHW apprenticeships combine paid employment, mentored on-the-job training, classroom instruction (often through community colleges), and lead to nationally recognized credentials and state certification where applicable.
- Programs generate benefits for workers, employers, and communities. Apprentices gain hands-on skills, confidence, and credentials without incurring training debt; employers benefit from improved recruitment, productivity, and retention; and communities gain culturally competent CHWs trained to serve local needs.
- Sustainable funding and strong partnerships are critical challenges. Programs often rely on time-limited grants and require coordination between employers and educational institutions, making long-term sustainability dependent on stable funding streams and committed leadership.
Community health workers (CHWs) connect community members to health and social services and improve access to care, often serving the communities they represent. They work in hospitals, public health departments, and community-based organizations, drawing on lived experience and a mix of formal and informal training. Training may be provided by employers, community colleges, community-based organizations, or state and local agencies, and emphasizes practical skills such as communication, health education, and knowledge of local resources.
Registered apprenticeships are a small but growing training pathway for CHWs, combining paid employment with structured learning. This brief describes CHW apprenticeship programs, national trends, benefits and challenges, example models, and resources for stakeholders interested in developing or expanding these programs.
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