Federal Government & Administrative Affairs
What is the Presidential Action?
President Trump has issued an executive order to overhaul federal workforce development programs. The goal is to align these programs with the needs of America’s reindustrialization, ensuring workers are equipped for high-demand skilled jobs. The order also aims to expand Registered Apprenticeships, innovate workforce strategies, and improve program transparency and efficiency.
Background or Context with Statistics and Source References
Historically, U.S. workforce development programs have been critiqued for being fragmented and inefficient. With the rapid technological advancements and shifts in the global economy, there is a growing demand for skilled labor that current programs are not fully addressing. This executive order builds on previous efforts to consolidate these programs and directly align them with industry needs, aiming to make the U.S. workforce globally competitive.
Why This Action Was Taken
The action was taken to maximize the impact of federal investments in workforce development, making them more targeted and effective. It addresses the critical need for skilled workers in emerging industries and aims to reduce unemployment by matching training with real job opportunities. Stakeholders including industry leaders, educational institutions, and labor organizations support this initiative for its potential to enhance economic growth and job security.
Short and Long-Term Impact on People
In the short term, workers will have access to improved training programs and apprenticeships, potentially leading to immediate employment opportunities in high-demand sectors. In the long term, the initiative promises to elevate the overall quality of the American workforce, leading to higher wages and better job security. This could significantly reduce unemployment rates and boost national economic growth within a year and beyond.
Performance/Impact Parameters to Measure Success
Success will be measured by several key performance indicators including the number of new apprenticeships created, the employment rates of program participants, wage increases post-training, and overall satisfaction with the restructured programs. Long-term success will be assessed by sustained improvements in these areas and a noticeable impact on the national economy.
Constitutional Validity and Legal Precedents
The executive order is grounded in the President’s constitutional authority to ensure the laws be faithfully executed and to govern with the advice of the Cabinet. Similar actions have been upheld as valid under the scope of executive powers, especially those related to economic and administrative policy. Previous orders that have successfully reformed sectors of federal administration provide a legal precedent for this comprehensive approach to workforce development. Content: Title: Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future Summary: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose. To maximize my Administration’s historic investments in America’s reindustrialization and economic growth, my Administration will fully equip the American worker to produce world-class products and implement world-leading technologies. My Administration will also consolidate and streamline fragmented Federal workforce development programs that are too disconnected from propelling workers into secure, well-paying, and high-need American jobs. Sec. 2. Policy. It is the policy of the United States to optimize and target Federal investments in workforce development to align with our country’s reindustrialization needs and equip American workers to fill the growing demand for skilled trades and other occupations. My Administration will further protect and strengthen Registered Apprenticeships and build on their successes to seize new opportunities and unlock the limitless potential of the American worker. Sec. 3. Comprehensive Worker Investment and Development Strategy. Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Education shall review all Federal workforce development programs and submit to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a report setting forth strategies to help the American worker. That report shall identify the following: (a) Opportunities to integrate systems and realign resources to address critical workforce needs and in-demand skills of emerging industries and companies investing in the United States as determined, to the extent permissible by law, by prospective employers. The report shall include: (i) administrative reforms to agency policies and programmatic requirements; (ii) process improvements to better the experience for program participants; and (iii) recommendations to further restructure and consolidate programs. (b) Federal workforce development and education programs, or related spending within these programs, that are ineffective or otherwise fail to achieve their desired outcomes. Each identified program should be accompanied by a proposal to reform the program, redirect its funding, or eliminate it. (c) Available statutory authorities to promote innovation and system integration in pursuit of better employment and earnings outcomes for program participants. (d) Opportunities to invest in the upskilling of incumbent workers to meet rapidly evolving skill demands of their industries, including the use of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace. (e) Strategies to identify alternative credentials and assessments to the 4-year college degree that can be mapped to the specific skill needs of prospective employers. (f) Efficiencies to streamline information collection, including through: (i) harmonizing performance measures; (ii) reducing the burden on grantees; and (iii) ensuring that performance outcomes are measured using the most reliable data sources. Sec. 4. Expanding Registered Apprenticeships. Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Education shall submit to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a plan to reach and surpass 1 million new active apprentices. That plan shall identify the following: (a) Avenues to expand Registered Apprenticeships to new industries and occupations, including high-growth and emerging sectors. (b) Measures to scale this proven model across the country, improve its efficiency, and provide consistent support to program participants. (c) Opportunities, including through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (Perkins V) Act and Federal student aid, to enhance connections between the education system and Registered Apprenticeships. Sec. 5. Delivering Unprecedented Transparency and Accountability. The Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Education shall improve transparency on the performance outcomes of workforce development programs and credentials supported through Federal investments, including earnings and employment data, for all Federal workforce development programs. Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE, April 23, 2025. URL: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/preparing-americans-for-high-paying-skilled-trade-jobs-of-the-future/
