Registered Apprenticeship sponsors can now begin applying for direct payments of up to $6,000 per apprentice through the Department of Labor’s new Pay-for-Performance (PfP) Incentive Payments Program, a national initiative designed to expand apprenticeship opportunities in critical industries and strengthen the nation’s workforce.
This marks a significant milestone for the Information Technology Apprenticeship Incentive Fund (TechXcel) a national initiative led by Clark University and supported by a $27 million cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Labor. Through the program, eligible Registered Apprenticeship sponsors can receive incentive payments as apprentices reach verified retention and progression milestones, helping employers and workforce organizations expand access to high-quality apprenticeship pathways in information technology.
The announcement about applications was made at a special launch event held in conjunction with the Nov. 10 Talent Forward 2026 conference at Clark.
“We’re excited to be able to begin offering incentive payments to sponsors interested in joining us in expanding access to information technology careers through Registered Apprenticeship,” said Dug Jones, program director for Workforce Programs.
TechXcel is part of nearly $162 million in national funding awarded through five cooperative agreements to expand apprenticeships in occupations deemed critical to the nation’s economic competitiveness and workforce development priorities. Clark is one of only five award recipients nationwide, and the only academic institution selected to administer a Pay-for-Performance cooperative agreement. Clark’s funding runs through June 30, 2030.
Since 2019, Clark has received a total of $54 million in workforce development awards from the Department of Labor to support workforce development initiatives; Clark and its national partner network have worked to expand federally approved apprenticeships both nationally and throughout Massachusetts and New England.
Organizations interested in learning more about the Information Technology Apprenticeship Incentive Fundand determining their eligibility for incentive payments can visit the TechXcel program website or the U.S. Department of Labor apprenticeship resources page.
The Information Technology Apprenticeship Incentive Fund is 100 percent funded by the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration through a cooperative agreement totaling $27,000,000. The initiative expands Registered Apprenticeship opportunities in information technology by providing outcome-based incentive payments to apprenticeship sponsors that recruit, train, retain, and advance new apprentices into high-quality technology careers.
