Lawmakers Hear Case for Apprenticeships to Close Disability-Sector Staffing Gaps

BOSTON -- May 28, 2026, A Massachusetts legislative subcommittee examined registered apprenticeships as a tool to address chronic staffing shortages in disability and human services. The Joint Status of Persons with Disabilities Special Workforce Supports Subcommittee held an informational session May 28 drawing nearly 40 attendees, with presentations from Amara Rahman of the Division of Apprenticeship Standards, Melissa Ciavelli of MassHire Hampden County Workforce Board, and Lisa Morris of For Health Consulting, who is developing a medical interpreter apprenticeship with at least four hospitals now expressing interest. Ciavelli, whose board has had 22 occupations approved over 10 years, described a tax credit of up to $4,800 per apprentice and $100,000 per year as a major employer incentive, calling retention "times like a hundred" compared to standard hiring. Subcommittee member Chris White noted his nonprofit filled only 10 of 15 slots this year in an existing youth workforce program. Co-Chair Rachel Caprillion closed by calling apprenticeships "another full channel" for placing people with disabilities themselves, not just those who serve them, into registered programs.