Chairman Scott Applauds Biden Administration for Reversing Wasteful IRAP Executive Order and Supporting Apprenticeship Expansion
WASHINGTON – Chairman Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President Biden announced plans to vacate former President Trump’s executive order on Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs), to repeal the Department of Labor IRAP regulations, and to support the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 (H.R. 447).
“I applaud President Biden’s decision to halt the previous Administration’s wasteful scheme to divert funding away from the proven Registered Apprenticeship system.
“The so-called Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program (IRAP) 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 stolen from 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 due to the impact of COVID-19. Millions of people are still without work, and at least 7 million of the jobs lost during the pandemic may never come back. The bipartisan National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 will accelerate our economic recovery by creating nearly 1 million additional high-quality apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship opportunities in high-demand industries and sectors, such as manufacturing, health care, technology, and construction.
“I look forward to working with President Biden in getting the bipartisan and House-passed National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 through the Senate and signed into law. This legislation will support workers, employers, and our economy as we build back better.”
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