‘Make America Skilled Again’: Trump administration bets on apprenticeships

The Trump administration has launched a major initiative to tackle the skilled labor gap, aiming to bolster the trades, including HVAC, by investing in apprenticeships and modernizing workforce programs.

Why it matters: Over 42,000 job openings for HVAC techs and installers are projected each year, on average, over the next eight years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

The rundown: President Trump in April signed an executive order directing the Labor, Education, and Commerce secretaries to submit a plan within 120 days to “reach and surpass one million new active apprentices.” 

• The order also requires them to propose reforms for all federal workforce programs by identifying wasteful spending and upskilling opportunities.

Zoom in: Just one week later, on May 2, the White House published some of the president’s additional priorities, including a new initiative dubbed ‘Make America Skilled Again (MASA).’

• The proposal gives states more flexibility in spending federal workforce dollars and requires that 10 percent of the money go toward apprenticeships. 

Meanwhile, the ‘big, beautiful bill’ passed by the House in late May would let families tap college-focused investment accounts to cover costs related to HVAC-industry certifications — and apprenticeships. 

What they’re saying: “Decades of failed political leadership have left America with a one-size-fits-all approach to workforce preparedness, which previous Administrations promoted as ‘college for all,’” the White House wrote in April. 

• “It is the policy of the United States to optimize and target Federal investments in workforce development… to fill the growing demand for skilled trades,” it added. 

But, but, but: Despite MASA, the May announcement also proposes cutting over $1.6 billion in workforce funding from the Labor Department’s budget, which critics say contradicts the administration’s goals. 

• “‘Make America Skilled Again’ is a clever slogan,” said Brad Turner-Little, CEO of the National Association of Workforce Boards, “but a reduction in funding will not accomplish the goal of upskilling more of the American workforce.”

State of play: Since January 20, 83,000 new apprentices have “come online,” according to Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who, while working on the apprentice plan, has kicked off a 50-state tour to aid the efforts. 

• “We want to work with our state partners. We want to work with our community colleges, our trade schools, our university system,” Chavez-DeRemer told Breitbart News.
• “What’s the pipeline for the American worker today that’s more modernized? How do we have flexibility in our labor laws [so] that we can be an ally for our business owners and for our workers?” she added. 

What to watch: While extensive details about both MASA and the secretaries’ one-million-apprentice plan remain unclear, late August will mark 120 days from the president’s order. 

• “[W]orkforce leaders will be looking for follow-through through actions, implementation, and resources,” said New America’s Shalin Jyotishi. 
• The Department of Labor didn’t return a request for comment.