The Trump administration released an executive order authorizing the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to move forward with efforts to permit third partiessuch as industry groups, trade associations, companies, and other nonprofit and for-profit providersto certify Registered Apprenticeship programs. This executive order comes on the heels of former President Barack Obamas unprecedented $265 million investment aimed at developing high-quality Registered Apprenticeship programs, and will seriously undermine recent bipartisan efforts to increase workers access to good, well-paying jobs through apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship is an earn-and-learn training strategy whereby apprentices participate in structured, on-the-job training, while earning a wage. Apprenticeship programs are registered with the DOL, and registration signifies to both workers and employers that the program meets certain standards. The so-called industry-recognized apprenticeships that the Trump administration will create could sidestep long-held labor standards that define Registered Apprenticeship, which is well known for good wages and quality skill development, and is well-regarded by workers, employers, and policymakers alike.

Rather than helping workers access quality, well-paying jobs, President Trumps deeply misguided proposal would make workers vulnerable to low-quality programs that dont offer the skills or wages apprenticeship programs for which apprenticeship programs are known. Indeed, the presidents proposalwhich comes on the heels of his budget proposal that would gut job training programswould make it easier for low-quality providers to access already limited federal funds. Once again, the president is putting the needs of workers last.

Angela Hanks is the associate director for Workforce Development Policy on the Economic Policy team at American Progress.

Read more from the original source:

How Trump's Executive Order Would Undermine Quality Apprenticeship - Center For American Progress