Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Ending Wasteful Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program
WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after the U.S. Department of Labor announced a final rule to rescind the Trump-era Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program.
“I applaud the Department of Labor for ending the previous Administration’s Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP), a wasteful scheme to divert funding away from the proven Registered Apprenticeship system.
“IRAPs discarded key features responsible for the success of our Registered Apprenticeship system, including quality standards and worker protections. Every dollar spent on IRAPs was a dollar not spent on established, high-quality apprenticeship opportunities that provide apprentices with decent wages, portable skills, and nationally recognized credentials.
“The need to invest in the proven Registered Apprenticeship system is even more urgent today as the economy is recovering from the pandemic. The bipartisan National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 would create nearly 1 million additional high-quality apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeshipopportunities in high-demand industries and sectors, such as manufacturing, health care, technology, and construction. This legislation would also streamline the registration process, so businesses can better utilize this proven national apprenticeship system.
“I look forward to working with the Administration to get the bipartisan, House-passed National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 through the Senate and signed into law. This legislation will support workers, employers, and our economy.”
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