What The Afl-cio Working For America Institute Inc does

The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute (WAI) is a nonprofit workforce development organization and a subsidiary entity of the AFL-CIO, headquartered at 815 Black Lives Matter Plz NW, Washington, DC. The organization designs and promotes registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that build pipelines of skilled workers into union-represented manufacturing and industrial occupations, with explicit emphasis on access for women, Black workers, veterans, people with disabilities, and the formerly incarcerated. Its core programmatic products are the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Registered Apprenticeship (a nationally recognized, stackable credential adaptable across clean tech, advanced manufacturing, battery, semiconductors, plastics, metals, and wood), the Manufacturing Core Curriculum (MC2) pre-hire pathway, the Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships (PAMA), and Registered Apprenticeship Programs delivered through Joint Apprenticeship Committees, train-the-trainer, and mentorship models. The technology stack is programmatic rather than platform-based: WAI develops apprenticeship frameworks, curricula, and toolkits rather than proprietary software, with differentiators grounded in domain specialization and the intermediation role between unions, employers, workforce boards, and community organizations.

WAI is governed under the AFL-CIO umbrella, with Liz Shuler (AFL-CIO President) serving as Board Chair and Owen Herrnstadt acting as Interim Executive Director; leadership combines federal labor policy experience, including prior service on the U.S. Export-Import Bank. The organization operates as a grant-funded nonprofit and does not charge for its services. Revenue flows primarily from federal grants (Department of Labor, Department of Energy, federal workforce legislation programs) and foundation grants — notably a $3 million three-year award from Ascendium Education Group and a $1 million award from the Families and Workers Fund, both received in 2024. WAI also generates influence and reach through a content and publications stream (guides, toolkits, case studies) and a digital footprint spanning workingforamerica.org, Twitter/X and Instagram (@aflciowai).

Customer-facing delivery is structured around three primary segments: unions and labor organizations (USW, IAM, IBEW, building trades), employers in advanced manufacturing and defense industrial bases (Mack Trucks, Newport News Shipbuilding, Hanwha Philly Shipyard), and workers/job seekers seeking career pathways, with workforce boards and community-based intermediaries acting as a secondary channel. The Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships (PAMA) coalition has reached 200 employer companies and 14 participating union locals, positioning WAI as the convening hub for a national union-led apprenticeship infrastructure rather than a transactional service provider.

Name

The Afl-cio Working For America Institute Inc

Legal name

AFL-CIO Working for America Institute Inc

Website

https://workingforamerica.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute is the AFL-CIO's nonprofit workforce development arm, designing registered apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and curriculum programs that build pipelines into union-represented advanced manufacturing, battery, and clean-tech jobs. It serves unions, manufacturing employers, and job seekers, primarily funded by federal and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Workforce Development Services

NAICS

Apprenticeship Training (611513), Technical and Trade Schools (6115)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Apprenticeships, Pre-Apprenticeships & Work-Based Learning (EDAAAOAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Apprenticeships, Internships & Work-Based Learning Programs (BPACANAK), Internship-to-Apprenticeship & Early Talent Pipeline Programs (EDAMAKAL)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Registered apprenticeship programs
• Labor union training
• Manufacturing workforce pipeline
• Apprenticeship program design

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Federal Grants: WAI receives federal funding to develop and expand registered apprenticeship programs and workforce development initiatives. The organization has received grants from the Department of Labor and federal workforce legislation programs.
2. Foundation Grants: WAI receives grants from private foundations including a $3 million grant from Ascendium Education Group to build union-led apprenticeship programs, and a $1 million grant from Families and Workers Fund to support the Manufacturing Core Curriculum (MC2).

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

WAI designs, develops, and scales union-aligned registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs—most notably the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) credential and the Manufacturing Core Curriculum (MC2)—and provides technical assistance, training resources, and intermediary brokering services to unions, employers, and workforce organizations across the United States. Its flagship Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships (PAMA) initiative brings together unions, employers, and community organizations to build skilled manufacturing workforce pipelines.

Product overview

The AFL-CIO Working for America Institute operates as a workforce development nonprofit that brings together unions, employers, workforce intermediary partnerships, the workforce system, and community organizations to create, expand, and retain high-quality jobs. Rather than a unified software product, the Institute offers a portfolio of workforce training programs and services: the Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Registered Apprenticeship serves as a nationally recognized credentialing pathway; the Manufacturing Core Curriculum (MC2) provides universal pre-hire training for manufacturing careers; the Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships (PAMA) enables employer-union partnerships; and Registered Apprenticeship Programs deliver technical assistance and support for unions and employers to establish workforce pipelines. These programs are complemented by publications, toolkits, and resources supporting apprenticeship expansion.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Manufacturing Core Curriculum (MC2): A high-quality, universal pathway leading to a range of good manufacturing careers, preparing and connecting students and workers to entry-level jobs and registered apprenticeships in the manufacturing industry
• Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT)
• Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing (PAMA)

Products and services

• Industrial Manufacturing Technician (IMT) Registered Apprenticeship A nationally recognized, stackable registered apprenticeship program that equips workers with essential skills for entry-level manufacturing roles, adaptable across industries including clean tech, advanced manufacturing, battery, semiconductors, plastics, metals, and wood. Designed for unions, employers, and apprenticeship sponsors.
• Manufacturing Core Curriculum (MC2) A high-quality, universal pathway leading to a range of good manufacturing careers that prepares and connects students and workers to entry-level jobs and registered apprenticeships in the manufacturing industry through accelerated pre-hire pathways.
• Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships (PAMA) A collaborative initiative between unions, employers, and workforce intermediaries to expand registered apprenticeship opportunities in advanced manufacturing sectors, serving 200 companies including Mack Truck and Newport News Shipbuilding alongside 14 unions including USW, IAM, and IBEW.
• Registered Apprenticeship Program Design and Technical Assistance Workforce training solutions including Joint Apprenticeship Committees, Train-the-Trainers, Mentorship Programs, and Pre-apprenticeship programs designed for union-represented workplaces focusing on real-world skills, safety, and career opportunities.
• Workforce Development Publications and Toolkits Research reports, guides, and toolkits including Building Joint Apprenticeship Programs, IT Workers' Rights Guide, Manufacturing and Registered Apprenticeship Toolkit, and case studies on workforce development best practices, available for use by unions, employers, and workforce partners.

Quantifiable outcome

• 200 companies joined Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and regional.

• Mack TruckscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMack Trucks is one of 200 companies participating in the Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships (PAMA). The company hosts apprenticeship programs at its Lehigh Valley Operations facility where workers like Nikki Miller have completed electrical apprenticeships.
• Newport News ShipbuildingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNewport News Shipbuilding is one of 200 companies participating in the Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships (PAMA), working with WAI to develop skilled workforce pipelines.
• Keystone Development PartnershipcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough WAI's Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeship (PAMA) grant program, KDP has supported Hanwha Philly Shipyard's apprenticeship program for several years.
• Hanwha Philly ShipyardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHanwha Philly Shipyard offers hands-on training through registered apprenticeship programs supported by the Keystone Development Partnership and WAI. Reagan Andree is a welding apprentice in United Association Plumbers Local 690 at the shipyard.
• U.S. Department of EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAI is a partner in the Battery Workforce Initiative, a Department of Energy program focused on workforce development for battery manufacturing and related industries.
• California Federation of Labor UnionscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe California Federation of Labor Unions supports apprenticeship programs including the sheet metal industry apprenticeship that Kasey Lorance completed through the WAI network.
• United Steelworkers (USW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSW is one of 14 unions with locals participating in WAI's Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships program.
• International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIAM is one of 14 unions with locals participating in WAI's Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships program.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBEW is one of 14 unions with locals participating in WAI's Partnership for Advanced Manufacturing Apprenticeships program.
• Buffalo Manufacturing CommunityregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerWAI conducted a study examining how organizations in Buffalo are taking advantage of employment opportunities in manufacturing to diversify the workforce, engaging 23 representatives from business, government and community organizations.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Jobs for the Future: National nonprofit that designs and scales workforce and education solutions, including apprenticeship programs and career pathway initiatives. Direct peer operating as a workforce intermediary with similar federal-grant-funded model and employer partnership approach.
• National Skills Coalition: Workforce policy advocacy organization that partners with employers, unions, and training providers to expand skill development and apprenticeship access. Comparable as a federally engaged intermediary advancing apprenticeship policy and practice.
• Chicago Federation of Labor: Regional labor federation that builds apprenticeship and workforce development programs with employer partners. Comparable as a union-affiliated workforce intermediary operating apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship pipelines.
• Apprenticeship Forward Coalition: Coalition advancing Registered Apprenticeship expansion across industries, convening employers, labor, and training providers. Direct peer in the apprenticeship intermediary ecosystem with similar federal-policy orientation.
• WRTP | Big Step: Wisconsin-based workforce intermediary that runs union-led pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs in manufacturing and construction. Direct peer operating labor-aligned apprenticeship models with employer-union structure.
• The Manufacturing Institute: Workforce and education affiliate of the NAM that leads the Creators Wanted campaign and develops manufacturing apprenticeship and training programs. Most direct competitor in manufacturing-focused apprenticeship design and employer engagement.
• National Fund for Workforce Solutions: National nonprofit advancing sector-based workforce partnerships between employers, workers, and training providers. Comparable intermediary model focused on building employer-led pipelines for skilled occupations.
• Keystone Development Partnership: Pennsylvania-based labor-management partnership supporting apprenticeship programs across building trades and manufacturing, including work with Hanwha Philly Shipyard. Direct peer and explicit WAI partner delivering union apprenticeship infrastructure.

Others

• U.S. Department of Labor Office of Apprenticeship: Federal agency that registers apprenticeship programs and sets national standards. Functions as a key ecosystem partner and primary public-sector counterpart to intermediary organizations like WAI.
• IBEW Local Union Apprenticeship Programs: IBEW operates its own Joint Apprenticeship Committees that deliver registered apprenticeships in electrical trades. Comparable as a partner ecosystem rather than competitor, providing direct apprenticeship delivery for the occupations WAI's programs feed into.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xtwitter.com/aflciowai
• Instagraminstagram.com/aflciowai
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afl-cio-working-for-america-institute

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The Afl-cio Working For America Institute Inc