Labor Department moves to streamline new apprenticeship programs

The U.S. Department of Labor is taking steps to make it easier for employers to set up registered apprenticeship programs, according to a March announcement. 

The big picture: The efforts stem from an April 2025 executive order signed by President Trump aimed at reaching and surpassing one million new active apprentices in the U.S., including in the skilled trades, and come as the plumbing industry is projected to see around 44,000 annual job openings for plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters through 2034. 

What’s happening: The changes allow employers or organizations interested in establishing a registered apprenticeship program to either submit their own proposal or connect with a department representative to develop one that meets federal regulations. 

• The agency will review the materials and issue a determination within 30 days. If denied, an applicant can revise and resubmit. 
• A website will feature a “shot clock” to highlight the number of apprenticeship programs registered on a monthly basis, and an online portal will provide data on program completion rates. 

What they’re saying: “We’re removing the administrative roadblocks that have prevented Registered Apprenticeship from scaling to meet demand,” Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said in a statement. 

• She added that the DOL’s “commitment to faster decisions, clearer standards, and greater flexibility will enable employers across all industries to launch high-quality Registered Apprenticeship programs and help more Americans access high-paying careers.” 

Yes, but: The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers (SMART) called the guidance “dangerous,” arguing it would undermine rigorous union training programs, encouraging apprenticeship programs to focus on speed instead of skill development. 

• “This is a threat to SMART members, our families, our apprenticeship programs and tradespeople everywhere,” General President Michael Coleman said in a statement. 
• “We urge the Department of Labor to change course, and we call on the president to stand up for our nation’s workers by strengthening the standards that protect them,” he added.