Several states are rising to President Trump's challenge to promote apprenticeship programs as a way to fill a "skills gap" in companies and reduce the unemployment rate.
Trump has been pushing blue-collar and non-collegiate jobs as opposed to his predecessor, Barack Obama, who advocated for young people to attend college.
"Our Apprenticeship Initiative will make it dramatically easier for employers, industry groups, and unions to create exciting new apprenticeship programs that place students into high-paying careers. Instead of being racked with crushing student debt, those who participate will earn while they learn — think of that: earn while they learn," Trump said in June.
The White House announced the apprenticeship initiative six months ago. Trump signed an executive order promising tax breaks for participating states and grants for companies that hire apprentices or implement apprenticeship programs.
"College is not the only track to a great career," Labor Secretary Alex Acosta said at a Washington event in October to honor apprenticeship programs. "I was talking to a CEO the other day who said that his company was hiring welders at an opening salary of $60,000. I thought, 'Shouldn't kids know about this?'"
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01.22.2025