Doylestown, PA – Today, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry (L&I) celebrated the winners of its annual PA Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Awards. Organized by L&I’s Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) in partnership with Bucks County Intermediate Unit, the celebration highlighted the importance and role of registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs in Governor Josh Shapiro’s workforce development strategy, while recognizing the programs and participants doing outstanding work in the space.
“Apprenticeships continue to prove themselves as one of the most effective workforce development strategies we have: they open doors for Pennsylvanians to earn while they learn and build a stronger, more competitive economy in the process,” said L&I Secretary Nancy A. Walker. “We’re proud to celebrate this year’s winners whose leadership and innovation are helping these programs thrive across our Commonwealth. With Governor Shapiro’s continued investments, we’re ensuring apprenticeships remain a cornerstone of opportunity for years to come.”
Over the past three years, the Commonwealth has increased funding for career and technical education and apprenticeships by nearly 50%, from $118 million to $183 million, with his 2026-27 budget plan looking to build upon this progress by investing an additional $18 million. Since the start of the Shapiro Administration, more than 41,500 Pennsylvanians have participated in apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, opening doors to stable, family-sustaining careers. Each year, the number of apprenticeships continues to grow: Pennsylvania registered just 18 new apprenticeship programs in 2022 before Governor Shapiro took office compared to 159 apprenticeship and 90 pre-apprenticeship new programs over the course of his Administration.
“At the ATO, every day is an opportunity to uplift and expand apprenticeship programs across Pennsylvania and thanks to the strong support of Governor Shapiro, we are building on our momentum and helping even more Pennsylvanians access this proven workforce solution,” said ATO Director Tara Loew. “While our Commonwealth is home to many outstanding programs, today is about recognizing the individuals, organizations, and partnerships going above and beyond to create meaningful pathways to good-paying, family-sustaining careers.”
After receiving nominations from across the Commonwealth, a committee evaluated and selected finalists, which were then voted on by the public.
This year’s PA Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship award winners are as follows:
Outstanding Registered Apprenticeship Sponsor Award
- Lehigh Valley Electricians IBEW 375 – Group Joint
- Central PA Chapter Independent Electrical Contractors – Group Non-Joint
Outstanding Registered Apprentice Achievement Award
- Kristina Mulhern, Registered Behavior Technician w/ Bucks County IU
Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprenticeship Sponsor Award
- PA College of Technology, Advanced Manufacturing for Workforce Reentry
Outstanding Registered Pre-Apprentice Achievement Award
- Kira Voichenko, Industrial Manufacturing Technician, Catalyst Connection
Outstanding Advocate for Building a Thriving Registered Apprenticeship Ecosystem Award
- Christian Zimmerman, Apprenticeship Coordinator, Manufacturer’s Association of SCPA
Established in 2016, L&I's Apprenticeship and Training Office (ATO) is responsible for guiding and promoting the expansion and compliance of all registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs across the Commonwealth. Since Governor Shapiro took office, the ATO has supported the creation of 249 new registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs and enrolled more than 26,800 new apprentices.
National Apprenticeship Week (NAW) is a nationwide celebration showcasing the successes and value of registered apprenticeship for strengthening our economy by developing a highly skilled workforce to meet industry needs and creating pathways for career seekers to catapult into in-demand jobs. This year marks the first full weeklong celebration in the spring, from April 26 to May 2, 2026.
For more information on the Pennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry, please visit the website or follow L&I on Instagram, Facebook, X, and LinkedIn.
Editor’s Note: Photos and video from this event will be available at www.PAcast.com.
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