The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act—commonly known as Perkins V—allocates approximately $1.4 billion annually to states for Career and Technical Education programs. While most training providers know this federal funding stream exists, few understand how to access these dollars for apprenticeship infrastructure. The catch? Comprehensive reporting requirements that can make or break your funding eligibility.
What Perkins V Actually Funds for Apprenticeships
Perkins V can fund a wide range of activities to develop and improve CTE programs that support apprenticeships. The funding covers equipment purchases like simulators for manufacturing apprenticeship programs, curriculum development for apprenticeship-aligned courses, teacher training and professional development, instructor salaries for related technical instruction classes, industry certification exam fees, and work-based learning coordinator positions.
This last category—work-based learning coordinators—represents the hidden gem for youth apprenticeship programs. Many high schools use Perkins dollars to hire coordinators who manage on-the-job placements and maintain employer partnerships. At the postsecondary level, community colleges leverage Perkins funds to start new apprenticeship-aligned programs or cover instructional costs for related technical instruction.
However, Perkins funding comes with clear limitations. The funding cannot pay apprentice wages or cover on-the-job training costs borne by employers. It also cannot be used for general expenses or building maintenance. Perkins is directed to agencies and schools that run CTE programs, not to students directly, though limited exceptions exist for student benefits like transportation or certification exam fees.
Who Controls Perkins V Dollars
Understanding the funding flow is critical for training providers pursuing Perkins V dollars. The federal government distributes Perkins funds by formula to states based on population and income factors. Every state then allocates funds to local school districts and postsecondary institutions—primarily community colleges—to support CTE programs.
This distribution model means training providers cannot apply directly for Perkins funding. Instead, they must collaborate with institutional CTE administrators at secondary schools or community colleges to access these funds. A community college that serves as a Related Technical Instruction provider for apprentices, for example, can leverage Perkins to improve those courses through curriculum design, instructor costs, and instructional equipment investments.
The key insight: Perkins funds supplement state and local education funds, and programs supported by Perkins must be CTE programs of study that lead to credentials or degrees. Training providers should establish partnerships with their institution's CTE administrators to tap Perkins funds in support of apprenticeship pathways.
The Reporting Requirements You Can't Ignore
States have significant latitude in spending Perkins funds, but they must adhere to strict federal requirements. The most important mandate is conducting a Comprehensive Local Needs Assessment to guide spending toward high-demand skills and equitable access. This assessment isn't optional—it's the foundation for determining how Perkins dollars get allocated.
Beyond the initial needs assessment, programs must report on specific performance indicators: CTE concentrator graduation rates, post-program placement rates, and nontraditional enrollment numbers. These metrics matter because they determine whether your program continues receiving funding in subsequent years.
The reporting burden extends to tracking special populations including individuals with disabilities, economically disadvantaged students, and single parents. Perkins emphasizes equitable access, and programs must demonstrate they're serving these priority populations effectively. Programs supported by Perkins must be CTE programs of study that lead to credentials or degrees, and all spending must be tied back to program improvement rather than routine operational costs.
Youth Apprenticeships Show the Full Potential
Youth apprenticeships represent the ideal application of Perkins V funding. High school youth apprenticeship programs frequently use Perkins dollars to pay teachers who coordinate on-the-job placements and fund the classroom training students receive for technical skills. This coordination role becomes especially valuable as it connects students to apprenticeship opportunities while managing the complexity of dual enrollment and work-based learning requirements.
Community colleges can support youth apprentices transitioning to registered apprenticeships by using Perkins to improve related technical instruction courses. The funding offsets significant program costs for the education partners in an apprenticeship, even though it cannot fund apprentice salaries directly.
Perkins V includes a strong emphasis on work-based learning, requiring states to include plans for expanding WBL—including apprenticeships—in their CTE plans. Many states use their Perkins Reserve fund, which can be up to 15% of their total allocation, for innovative projects that seed new apprenticeship or work-based learning initiatives.
Turn Reporting Requirements Into Proof of Impact
Perkins V performance reporting demands reliable, audit-ready data systems. Training providers need to consistently track CTE concentrator progress, graduation rates, placement outcomes, and credential completion—often across multiple education partners and employer sites.
Craft's apprenticeship data management platform centralizes this tracking for programs pursuing Perkins V and other CTE funding streams. The platform tracks on-the-job training hours, related technical instruction completions, and performance outcomes in one system, eliminating the manual spreadsheet work that creates compliance risk. With role-based access for administrators, instructors, and evaluators, the platform ensures everyone has the data they need while maintaining compliance with FERPA and audit requirements.
Download our complete Apprenticeship Funding Guide to explore how Perkins V combines with WIOA, Pell Grants, and state-specific funding streams to build comprehensive apprenticeship funding strategies.
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