The National Association of State and Territorial Apprenticeship Directors (NASTAD) was originally established to promote and achieve an effective national apprenticeship system. The association accomplishes this by providing a forum for states and territories who each have their own state apprenticeship law with which to govern Registered Apprenticeship training programs within their respective jurisdictions. Since its inception, NASTAD has served its goal well in providing information, sharing ideas and providing support in problem solving to its members. NASTAD represents the majority of Registered Apprenticeships in the United States. It has willingly accepted its rightful place close to the pulse of apprenticeship nationwide and has sought to serve well its member states and territories. NASTAD provides the support and assistance necessary in the execution of successful state managed apprenticeship.

Each member of NASTAD recognizes the need:

• To work together in the adoption of uniform systems for the continuous improvement in the training and welfare of apprentices;
  
• To bring into existence cooperative relationships among employers and labor not only in industries where Registered Apprenticeship exists but also into new industries where Registered Apprenticeship can expand;
  
• To promote Registered Apprenticeship and its expansion as an economic asset to the nation and to all who participate;
  
• To work as an equal partner with the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Apprenticeship to achieve stability and recognition of the Registered Apprenticeship model; and
  
• To maintain the most comprehensive brain trust on Registered Apprenticeship issues and to make available to its members the benefits of this wide range of expertise.