Legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) would help ensure that apprenticeship programs are more responsive to private-sector workforce needs.
“Workforce shortages are one of the top issues I continue to hear about from businesses across South Dakota,” Sen. Thune said on April 21. “I’m proud to lead this legislation that would help address these ongoing workforce challenges by providing employers with another way to adequately train prospective employees and help expand the pool of skilled workers.”
Specifically, the Training America’s Workforce Act, S. 1213, which has three GOP original cosponsors, would help individuals obtain industry-specific skills through on-the-job learning and classroom instruction, as well as an industry-recognized credential during participation in or upon completion of an industry-recognized apprenticeship program (IRAP), according to a bill summary provided by Sen. Thune’s office.
Lake Area Technical College, the National Association of Home Builders, and the Associated Builders and Contractors endorsed S. 1213, which would direct the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to reinstate the IRAP rule published in 2020 by the Trump administration but subsequently rescinded by the Biden administration.
Consistent with the Trump-era rule, S. 1213 would allow third-party, DOL-recognized entities — like qualifying trade associations or institutions of higher education — to recognize and perform oversight of IRAPs that were developed by the private sector and other organizations, the summary says.
The bill has been referred to the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee for consideration.