Trump administration to push for ‘a million apprenticeships’

U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta takes the stage at Monday's general session. Photo by Denny Henry.
Error message
In order to filter by the "in queue" property, you need to add the Entityqueue: Queue relationship.-
County NewsPresident Donald Trump, who popularized apprenticeships in his TV show, “The Apprentice,” is pushing to make apprenticeships an even bigger part of the American workplace, Labor Sec. Alexander Acosta told the Opening General Session audience Monday morning.Trump administration to push for ‘a million apprenticeships’
-
County News Article
Trump administration to push for ‘a million apprenticeships’
President Donald Trump, who popularized apprenticeships in his TV show, “The Apprentice,” is pushing to make apprenticeships an even bigger part of the American workplace, Labor Sec. Alexander Acosta told a NACo audience Monday morning.
The administration has a goal of reaching 1 million new apprenticeships, Acosta said. Trump signed an executive order in 2017 to increase the number of apprenticeships, which currently stand at half a million, Acosta said.
“We’re going to announce grants of $150 million to community colleges, asking them to find matching partners in the business community,” Acosta said. “It’s a win-win. Businesses get skills they ask for and colleges get insight into skills that are required.” Acosta told the audience to be sure to check out apprenticeship.gov, a DOL website that connects career seekers, employers and educators.
Acosta asked county officials to talk to their schools about showing students “multiple paths to success.”
“Kids can take apprenticeships and get a college degree with no student debt,” he said, noting that they can come out making on average of $28 an hour. “Is that the message schools are sending? It’s ‘college or bust!’”
The Labor secretary was one of several speakers that county officials heard from at the morning General Session during the 2019 NACo Legislative Conference. Other speakers included Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and White House advisor Kellyanne Conway.
Acosta also wants county officials to be aware that occupational licensing regulations can hurt people who move from one state, county or city to the next; he zeroed in on one audience that is particularly hard hit: military spouses.
“Our men and women in the armed forces … often, we recruit them as an individual and somewhere along the line they get married,” he said. What happens with frequent moves is a spouse who is in a licensed occupation loses that license, interrupting their career.
President Donald Trump, who popularized apprenticeships in his TV show, “The Apprentice,” is pushing to make apprenticeships an even bigger part of the American workplace, Labor Sec. Alexander Acosta told the Opening General Session audience Monday morning.2019-03-04County News Article2023-04-11
President Donald Trump, who popularized apprenticeships in his TV show, “The Apprentice,” is pushing to make apprenticeships an even bigger part of the American workplace, Labor Sec. Alexander Acosta told a NACo audience Monday morning.
The administration has a goal of reaching 1 million new apprenticeships, Acosta said. Trump signed an executive order in 2017 to increase the number of apprenticeships, which currently stand at half a million, Acosta said.
“We’re going to announce grants of $150 million to community colleges, asking them to find matching partners in the business community,” Acosta said. “It’s a win-win. Businesses get skills they ask for and colleges get insight into skills that are required.” Acosta told the audience to be sure to check out apprenticeship.gov, a DOL website that connects career seekers, employers and educators.
Acosta asked county officials to talk to their schools about showing students “multiple paths to success.”
“Kids can take apprenticeships and get a college degree with no student debt,” he said, noting that they can come out making on average of $28 an hour. “Is that the message schools are sending? It’s ‘college or bust!’”
The Labor secretary was one of several speakers that county officials heard from at the morning General Session during the 2019 NACo Legislative Conference. Other speakers included Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and White House advisor Kellyanne Conway.
Acosta also wants county officials to be aware that occupational licensing regulations can hurt people who move from one state, county or city to the next; he zeroed in on one audience that is particularly hard hit: military spouses.
“Our men and women in the armed forces … often, we recruit them as an individual and somewhere along the line they get married,” he said. What happens with frequent moves is a spouse who is in a licensed occupation loses that license, interrupting their career.
Hero 1

About Mary Ann Barton (Full Bio)
County News Editor & Senior Writer
Mary Ann is the County News editor and senior staff writer and is returning to NACo after previously working at the association. She comes to NACo after covering local news for Patch.com in Northern Virginia.More from Mary Ann Barton
-
Reports & Toolkits
ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America’s workforce, addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation. -
County News
Counties rethink jobs to broaden hiring pool
It's a good time for counties to rethink, or rewrite, job postings to keep up with a changing labor market -
Blog
2022 #NACoAnn Spotlight: Skilled Workforce and Economic Development
Explore conference sessions that focus on workforce and economic development. -
Press Release
State and Local Government Groups Call for National Strategy to Address Urgent Workforce Needs
As public and private employers face a growing challenge to find the talent they need for a wide range of jobs, the leading organizations that represent state and local governments call for a national strategy to invest in the nation’s workforce. -
Blog
Natural gas brings opportunity to Somerset County
Across the country America’s natural gas utilities are committed to delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy to over 73 million customers. Climate change is a defining challenge across the globe. -
County News
Get ready: OSHA to increase heat-related inspections
Counties are preparing for a summer with more OHSA enforcement on hot days for workers and laborers.
Contact
-
County News Editor & Senior Writer(202) 942-4223
Related Resources
-
Blog
Webinar Recap: County Strategies to Recruit and Retain a Strong Behavioral Health Workforce
For county governments, a strong and fully staffed behavioral health workforce is key to supporting people living with behavioral health conditions. Like other sectors, county governments are experiencing a shortage in local behavioral health workforce. -
Blog
The State of the Nation's Workforce: January County Explorer Update
County governments employ more than 3.6 million public servants.1 As one of the largest collective employers in the country, county leaders understand the importance of a thriving labor market. -
County News
Retirement snag lies in wait for some county workers, officials
The Windfall Elimination Provision is complicating retirement planning for county employees and officials.
-
Reports & Toolkits
ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America’s workforce, addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation. -
Press Release
State and Local Government Groups Call for National Strategy to Address Urgent Workforce Needs
As public and private employers face a growing challenge to find the talent they need for a wide range of jobs, the leading organizations that represent state and local governments call for a national strategy to invest in the nation’s workforce. -
Reports & Toolkits
Counties and the American Rescue Plan Act Recovery Fund: Workforce Development
Across the nation, counties have experienced high unemployment rates during the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2020, over 300 counties experienced an unemployment rate of 10 percent or higher. The Recovery Fund provides counties the opportunity to bolster and strengthen the local workforce
Related Events
-
21Jun2023Webinar
Creating Inclusive Pathways to Higher Education and Employment for County Residents
Jun. 21, 2023 , 3:00 pm – 4:00 pm
More From
-
ARPA Impact Report: An Analysis of How Counties are Addressing National Issues With Local Investments
With American Rescue Plan funds, counties are strengthening America’s workforce, addressing the nation’s behavioral health crisis, expanding broadband access, improving housing affordability and building prosperous communities for the next generation.
Learn More