
At Urban, we’re modernizing the proven registered apprenticeship model—expanding it into tech, energy, and small businesses. More Americans deserve the chance to earn while they learn—and launch careers with an apprenticeship contract, not a student loan.
Zach Boren is a senior fellow in the Work, Education, and Labor Division at the Urban Institute. He has spent nearly two decades shaping US workforce policy and helping employers build high-quality apprenticeships. At Urban, he has led federal and private projects to expand and modernize apprenticeships nationwide. Previously, he was chief of registered apprenticeship and policy at the US Department of Labor. A frequent speaker and author, his work has been featured in U.S. News & World Report, Bloomberg, NBC News, RealClearPolitics, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.