Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future
This executive order directs a comprehensive overhaul of federal workforce development programs to better equip American workers for high-demand jobs, particularly in skilled trades.
The order mandates a review of existing programs to identify inefficiencies, streamline systems, and consolidate resources.
It also sets targets for expanding registered apprenticeships, aiming to reach one million new active apprentices.
Enhanced transparency and accountability in program performance is a key aim.
The initiative seeks improved alignment between educational systems, training programs and the needs of present and future employers, especially within emerging industries.
Arguments For
Intended Benefits: Improve alignment of workforce development programs with national reindustrialization goals, increase the number of skilled workers, and boost economic growth by equipping workers with skills needed for high-demand jobs.
Evidence Cited: The order cites the need to address fragmented federal programs and maximize investments in reindustrialization.
Implementation Methods: Calls for inter-agency collaboration, reporting and plan development with specific deadlines for action in reviewing, reforming and consolidating programs, improving program participant experiences and expanding registered apprenticeships.
Legal/Historical Basis: The order invokes the President's authority under the Constitution and the laws of the United States. Implicitly, it draws upon the historical need to adapt workforce development to meet evolving economic needs.
Arguments Against
Potential Impacts: Potential for unintended consequences in the restructuring and consolidation of existing programs. Concerns could arise if programs are prematurely sunsetted or funding redirects disrupt ongoing training initiatives.
Implementation Challenges: Coordinating multiple agencies, overcoming bureaucratic inertia, and accurately assessing the effectiveness of programs can be slow and complex. Dependence on appropriate budget allocations is necessary, and securing these funds might be difficult in politically contentious times.
Alternative Approaches: Alternative approaches could include greater sector-specific collaboration between industry and educational institutions. Grants or tailored incentives for businesses might be more efficient in training than government-led programs.
Unintended Effects: Overemphasis on high-demand skills might neglect other sectors with critical labor needs. The focus on registered apprenticeships may not encompass the diverse needs and learning styles of all workers.
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered:
This introductory statement asserts the legal basis for the executive order, clarifying its authority derives from the President's constitutional and legal powers.
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.
The purpose is to maximize investments in reindustrialization and economic growth by equipping workers with skills for high-demand jobs.
The order aims to address fragmentation and inefficiencies in existing Federal workforce development programs.
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.
This section establishes a national policy to optimize and strategically target workforce development investments, aligning them with reindustrialization needs and the demand for skilled trades.
It also emphasizes preserving and expanding Registered Apprenticeships.
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.
This section directs a comprehensive review of all Federal workforce development programs within 90 days to identify opportunities for improvement.
The review will focus on integrating systems, using resources effectively, reforming ineffective programs, and proposing adjustments or eliminations.
It will consider upskilling incumbent workers, exploring alternative credentials, and streamlining data collection.
The findings will be reported to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget.
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.
This section mandates a plan, due in 120 days, to achieve and surpass one million new active apprentices.
The plan must outline how to expand registered apprenticeships into new industries, improve efficiency and support, and better integrate these programs with educational systems.
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.
This mandate requires increased transparency concerning the performance metrics, earnings, and employment data for all federally funded 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.
This section clarifies that the order does not override existing legal authorities of agencies or OMB functions.
Implementation is contingent on legal compliance and budget availability.
Furthermore, this order does not create any legally enforceable rights.
DONALD J. TRUMP
THE WHITE HOUSE,
April 23, 2025.
This section indicates the President's signature and the date of issuance.