The Guam Registered Apprenticeship Program saw tax credit claims surge by nearly 40% in fiscal 2026, reaching $17.4 million as local businesses sought to offset operating costs and build skilled local labor.
According to data released by the Guam Department of Labor, the tax credit total rose from $12.6 million in fiscal 2025. Participating employers claimed tax credits for 551 registered apprentices in fiscal 2026, an increase from 410 apprentices the prior fiscal year.
Under the program, eligible businesses can claim tax credits of up to 50% against their gross receipts tax liability for qualified apprenticeship training expenses, including trainer costs.
David M. Dell'Isola, director of the Guam Department of Labor, said the financial incentives serve as a crucial lifeline for participating companies navigating economic hurdles.
"I've had business owners come up to me and tell me this program has helped keep them in business," Dell'Isola said. "That tells us just how important these incentives are, especially when businesses are dealing with rising costs and difficulties finding qualified employees. We're helping them train the workers they need while putting money back into their businesses."
Dell'Isola said that registered apprenticeships provide a practical alternative to higher education, allowing participants to earn wages while acquiring industry credentials. The Department of Labor provides technical support and standardized templates to assist employers across various sectors, including construction, healthcare, information technology, and administrative fields, in setting up approved programs.
In separate government developments, the Department of Public Works released an update regarding procurement activities for the rebuild of Simon Sanchez High School. DPW has adopted a two-track procurement approach, separating the campus demolition from the Public-Private Partnership request for proposals for the design, construction, and leaseback of the new facility.
The demolition Invitation for Bid has cleared review by the Office of the Attorney General. However, DPW is awaiting formal authorization from the Guam Department of Education to allow its architectural firm, TRMA, to finalize bid documents so the demolition IFB can be advertised.
Vincent P. Arriola, director of Public Works, said that the department has completed its required preliminary steps for the demolition phase.
DPW has also finalized the draft package for the construction P3 RFP. The department plans to hand off the finalized procurement package to the incoming gubernatorial administration following required legal reviews. Officials cited the composition requirements of the evaluation committee under the Ma Kåhat Act, which mandates participation from designated agency heads subject to change during transition, as the rationale for coordinating the construction phase with incoming leadership. mbj
