In the United States, apprenticeships have traditionally been considered the purview of the construction industry and a handful of other trades. But recent interest in developing nontraditional career paths has led to an expansion of apprenticeships into industries such as healthcare, childcare, advanced manufacturing, public safety, hospitality, information technology, cybersecurity, and more. Diverse pre-apprenticeships have the potential to help people access a career path that offers livable wages and benefits. As public investment in apprenticeships grows at both the federal and state levels, we must proactively ensure equitable access to these opportunities. This report outlines principles to guide federal, state, and local decision-makers and partners in developing equitable pre-apprenticeship programs and policy. These principles can mitigate the risk of investing in low-quality programs that lead to nowhere. Policy research involved examining: (1) Program goals; (2) Integrating successful apprenticeship practices; (3) Program design, including equitable access, recruitment and placement; (4) Compensation; (5) Regional planning; and (6) Pathways to postsecondary education.