Should Congress invest money to create more apprenticeship opportunities for American workers?
Bill Summary
The National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 expands the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP), a program that works with employers, schools, and trade organizations to create apprenticeships across a wide array of industries. The legislation invests 3.5 billion dollars in order to create an additional one million apprenticeships nationwide. The bill seeks to implement this initiative with the priority of expanding apprenticeship accessibility for traditionally underrepresented groups in RAP.
Sponsor: Rep. Robert Scott (Democrat, Virginia, District 3)
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Opponents say
• "Heritage Action opposes this proposal…as our economy rapidly evolves to suit the needs of the pandemic era and the 21st century in general, we should empower employers to innovate and develop their own apprenticeship programs, not hamstring them."
Source: The Heritage Foundation
• "[The National Apprenticeship Act] would expand the size of government through a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach by the federal government through more red tape." Source: The National Taxpayers Union
• "The bill contains no mention of the administration’s industry-recognized apprenticeship initiative, and it’s unclear that a more flexible, parallel track of this kind could exist in the universe created by the legislation." Source: Opportunity America
• "[The National Apprenticeship Act] would expand the size of government through a top-down, one-size-fits-all approach by the federal government through more red tape." Source: The National Taxpayers Union
• "The bill contains no mention of the administration’s industry-recognized apprenticeship initiative, and it’s unclear that a more flexible, parallel track of this kind could exist in the universe created by the legislation." Source: Opportunity America
Proponents say
• "Congress has a responsibility to help workers not only find jobs, but also prepare them for long-term employment. Expanding the Registered Apprenticeship system – our most successful workforce development initiative – is the proven solution that we need. This investment, alone, will create an additional 1 million apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and youth apprenticeships.”
Source: Rep. Robert Scott (Democrat, Virginia, District 3)
• "The bipartisan National Apprenticeship Act provides students and workers all over the country the ability to pursue apprenticeship opportunities by strengthening the proven and successful models developed by the Registered Apprenticeship Program – America’s most successful workforce program. Expanding access to apprenticeship opportunities will connect workers with stable, good-paying jobs as we continue to fight the pandemic and an economic crisis." Source: Rep. Donald Norcross (Democrat, New Jersey, District 1)
• "This is a critical element that will help us solve the workforce gap and strengthen our industry into the future." Source: Angelo Gango (Vice President of the Association of Woodworking and Furnishing Suppliers)
• "The bipartisan National Apprenticeship Act provides students and workers all over the country the ability to pursue apprenticeship opportunities by strengthening the proven and successful models developed by the Registered Apprenticeship Program – America’s most successful workforce program. Expanding access to apprenticeship opportunities will connect workers with stable, good-paying jobs as we continue to fight the pandemic and an economic crisis." Source: Rep. Donald Norcross (Democrat, New Jersey, District 1)
• "This is a critical element that will help us solve the workforce gap and strengthen our industry into the future." Source: Angelo Gango (Vice President of the Association of Woodworking and Furnishing Suppliers)
- Bill would create one million new apprenticeships. (The Imprint)
- Apprenticeships are an overlooked solution for creating more access to quality jobs. (Brookings Institute)
- As Nation Faces Record Unemployment, Bipartisan Group Unveils Legislation to Expand Apprenticeships... (Press Release))
- Chairman Scott Urges Yes Vote on National Apprenticeship Act (Education and Labor Committee)
- Norcross, Scott Introduce Legislation to Expand Apprenticeships, Invest in Workforce Training (Insider NJ)
