National Apprenticeship Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in opposition to H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021.

As co-chair of the Congressional Career and Technical Education Caucus, it takes a lot for me to oppose legislation like this, which should be and always has been bipartisan. But my friends across the aisle have included measures that just are not good for America, and not bipartisan.

The National Apprenticeship Act, which was originally passed in 1937, established the registered apprenticeship system we see today. This system has provided many Americans with the opportunities to learn tangible skills they need for high-wage, high-skill, and in-demand jobs that will lead to fulfilling careers.

More recently, we have seen interest for apprenticeships rise as more employers and small businesses are recognizing the vital role they play in the development of a skilled workforce. This law is in desperate need of reforms that will both strengthen and expand this traditional system, while empowering employers and others to pursue work-based learning innovation.

As co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, I have always supported and will continue to support legislation that promotes skills-based education for a 21st century economy.

With that being said, we must acknowledge that the registered apprenticeship system created during the Great Depression will never be suitable by itself for a modern workforce.

While this bill codifies several Federal regulations for the registered apprenticeship model, the underlying bill ignores the needs of our workers and our economy.

Previous administrations have taken tremendous steps to grow the number of high-quality apprenticeships and modernize work-based learning programs, especially through the Department of Labor's Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs, or IRAPS.

This program is aimed to help foster continued innovation that recognizes the dignity of all work and provides another tool for apprentices to move into meaningful work in our rapidly evolving economy.

However, the current legislation does not provide the needed flexibility for innovation of these programs, the necessary funding to carry out these programs, or change the current status quo.

By prohibiting these innovative programs, this bill assumes that a registered program that works for one employer will meet the various needs of every business across the country, regardless of size or industry. We need to listen to what businesses are telling us.

For this reason, I urge my colleagues to oppose this bill.

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