Last Week, the House Education and Labor Committee advanced, in a 26-16 party line vote, a proposal to overhaul and modernize the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937. It will now head to the full House of Representatives for consideration.
The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 (H.R. 8294) would amend the existing national apprenticeship program to include both pre-apprenticeships and youth apprenticeships, while also defining guidelines for registered apprenticeship programs. Additionally, it would codify the Office of Apprenticeship within the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor, specifies that it is to be headed by an Administrator, and outlines the responsibilities of the Office. It would also create a National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships. To fund the provisions under the proposal, it authorizes over $3 billion between fiscal years (FY) 2021 and 2025.
Using the job losses due to the pandemic as a backdrop, in his opening statement, Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (D-VA) stated, “There is no better time than now to invest in this proven program to help people get back to work.” Committee Democrats echoed his sentiments, arguing that the registered apprenticeship program is a proven successful system that leads to high-wage careers and has a near perfect job placement rate upon completion.
On the other hand, committee Republicans opposed the proposal since it only sought to amend the registered apprenticeship system and did not mention other types of apprenticeship programs, like Industry Recognized-Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs). They argued that the registered apprenticeship program “isn’t the only way for the federal government to support apprenticeships.” Continuing that these other apprenticeship programs, namely IRAPs, allow employers more flexibility and innovation opportunities to adapt more efficiently in a quickly evolving 21st century economy.
ACTE has endorsed the National Apprenticeship Act of 2020 and Is actively advocating for its passage.
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