A new plan to fight unemployment by providing opportunities for apprenticeship is at the heart of President Donald Trump’s strategy to help develop the workforce, and match millions of workers with jobs.
Citing the growing skills gap and the need to train workers to fill open jobs, the new initiative is designed to help train those in need of work so that they can secure gainful, well-paying jobs in a variety of skilled fields.
Learning more about what apprentice is, how it benefits both employers and workers and the key elements of President Trump’s plan can provide valuable insight into his strategy for those struggling to find work in our nation.
What is Apprenticeship Training?
Combining real world, hands on training with classroom work allows individuals to rapidly achieve the skills they need to work in a specific field or perform specific tasks. “Earn while you learn” has become a frequent phrase used in recent speeches and releases by the Trump team this spring.
While apprenticeships are most common in the fields of construction, transportation, public works and administration, the recently revealed plan aims to expand the concept of apprenticeship to other industries.
By broadening the scope, workers can access on the job training and gain marketable skills in machinery, technology and infrastructure fields in addition to the more traditional apprenticeship markets.
Apprenticeships are seen as an ideal way to create jobs and a skilled workforce by both sides of the political spectrum; one sales and tech CEO called for Trump to create a whopping 5 million apprenticeship opportunities in the next 5 years. In 2016 alone, over half a million people worked as apprentices in the United States; about half of those workers gained knowledge and skills in the construction field, according to figures from the US Department of Labor.
An apprenticeship is an ideal alternative to a four-year college degree, and makes training more accessible to those who would otherwise have to make the choice between an expensive education and settling for unskilled labor as a job. Apprenticeships can also help young adults avoid the soaring cost of college and the unprecedented debt that can come with student loans.
Key Elements of Trump’s Plan
While the idea of apprenticeships is endorsed by individuals and organizations across the political spectrum, the plan to boost interest and buy-in is still rolling out. According to reports from the Associated Press, the administration will be investing about $200 million in the new program. This investment doubles the amount currently allocated for apprenticeships, and funds will be supplied form the Department of Labor.
The focus of the plan is to provide unions, employers and trade organizations with the flexibility needed to design their own industry appropriate apprenticeship guidelines and programs. By allowing industries to create their own curriculums, workers trained via apprenticeships are more likely to access the skills needed to succeed in their chosen fields.
By removing excess regulation, the Trump team hopes to empower both individuals and organizations to create programs that are truly beneficial for workers.
How does Trump’s Plan Impact the New Budget?
The executive order to create apprenticeships is designed to reduce unemployment and improve the lives of the workforce – but where is the money coming from? Right now, the proposed budget will cut Labor Department funding by just over 20% to direct funds towards making apprenticeships more accessible and appealing. The budget for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and unemployment grants will be lessened to provide funding for apprenticeship training.
Trump also stressed the importance of making apprenticeships more appealing and accessible to women; the broad apprenticeship program is designed to help both men and women get the training they need to access better paying, skilled work. The new budget redirects fund from the advocacy group Women’s Bureau to the apprenticeship model.
Both President Trump and his daughter Ivanka have been heavily promoting the new initiative and the need for skilled technical training for the nation’s unemployed and underemployed workers.
Wasn’t There an Apprenticeship Program under Obama?
Like President Trump, former President Obama focused on the need for apprenticeships, providing about $175 million in grants in the year 2015. However, the grants were heavily regulated, and only targeted specific industries and processes.
By maintaining the emphasis on apprenticeship for training and reducing regulation, the Trump team hopes to make the programs more feasible for potential employers to implement on their own.
Making apprenticeships more accessible for workers will ultimately improve their lives by making them more marketable. By providing a workforce that is properly trained and equipped, a broader range of industries can benefit from a training model that has high bipartisan support.
Regards,
Ethan Warrick
Editor
Wealth Authority
