Trump Plan to Expand Apprenticeships Too Vague for Many States

Few details and a potential for relaxed program standards have several states pulling away from the Labor Department’s plans to expand apprenticeships.

The Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program is an integral part of President Donald Trump and Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta’s policy plans. Based on what the DOL has released so far on IRAP, some state-level apprenticeship agency leaders are concerned about what the program will mean for these independent state agencies, and whether the proposed program will maintain the same standards established under the 80-year-old Registered Apprenticeship Agency.

“It appears the goal of the IRAP is to make it easier ...