Industry-Led Apprenticeships Raises Red Flags in Congress

The Trump administration’s mission to create an industry-led apprenticeship program nationwide is concerning some Republican and Democratic lawmakers, while others see the system as an opportunity to establish flexibility for employers.

The goal to develop the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program stems from President Donald Trump’s Executive Order to Expand Apprenticeship in America. The yet-to-be-rolled-out program is meant to serve as the alternative to the DOL’s 80-year-old Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Registered programs must meet standards established by the DOL and must receive approval from the department or a State Apprenticeship Agency.

It’s expected the DOL will release more details of the...