The Biden administration issued an executive order to expand registered apprenticeships, according to a March 6 announcement of the White House.
The order aims to create more registered apprenticeship programs in the federal workforce and encourage agencies to give greater preference to projects that hire workers who have participated in such programs.
“Registered apprenticeships are a proven strategy for expanding equitable training pathways to well-paying jobs, including union jobs,” according to the announcement.
In particular, the executive order directs the Office of Personnel Management, the US Department of Labor and other agencies to find ways to reduce barriers and create pathways to federal employment through registered apprentices. Agencies must provide a report within 180 days on potential occupations that could use these programs.
In addition, the order directs federal agencies to identify where they could include requirements or incentives for grantees or contractors to use workers participating in registered apprenticeships. Where appropriate, agencies should encourage such requirements or incentives, the executive order states.
In total, the Biden administration has invested more than $440 million to expand the capacity of the registered learning system, which has supported the training of more than 1 million learners nationwide, according to the announcement
In February, the administration announced nearly $200 million in grants expand registered apprenticeship programs, especially in high-demand areas such as information technology, cybersecurity, K-12 education, the care economy (nursing, early care, mental health occupations) , clean energy, hospitality and supply chain sectors (logistics, storage, transport, manufacturing).
However, a proposed rule to strengthen labor standards, improve quality and strengthen worker protections within the registered apprenticeship program. has faced a backlash. Republican lawmakers said the rule would discourage small businesses from participating in the program and impose administrative burdens, such as mandatory disclosures and the adoption of a time-based model.
While apprenticeships remain outside the mainstream in the US, wider adoption could create one key cohort of trained workers, according to a report by Multiverse and the Burning Glass Institute. Nearly 128 million workers could benefit from apprenticeships and on-the-job learning opportunities, they said.
