New Executive Order Could Erode Quality of Apprenticeships

Young Invincibles’ Government Affairs Director Reid Setzer stated, “While we appreciate the continued focus on apprenticeship spanning the previous administration to this one, the move to open up Registered Apprenticeship certification could strip back accountability and erode the program’s credibility if not combined with rigorous quality standards and protections for apprentices. The Registered Apprenticeship program provides workers with a nationally recognized credential, and it’s unclear as of yet how the third-party credentials will be held to standards that ensure they remain useful for employees once they leave that specific job. Additionally, allowing for a dramatic expansion of what qualifies as an apprenticeship with no uniform quality standards could allow for the proliferation of ineffective programs, and the Department of Labor, particularly when facing budget cuts, won’t be able to ensure oversight.