Department of Labor Seeks Feedback on Proposed CTE Rule

Late last month the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration released a proposed rule that would significantly overhaul the registered apprenticeship program. Among other things, the proposed rule would:

Update key areas related to standards of apprenticeship, including determining occupations suitable for registered apprenticeship; adding diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) strategies to recruitment; requiring minimum duration of 2,000 hours of on-the-job learning and 144 hours of related instruction; and revising labor standards (such as prohibition of non-compete and non-disclosure provisions in apprenticeship agreements).
Add paperwork requirements including data reporting requirements, and require employers to maintain records on credentials, apprenticeship progress, and end-point assessments.
Propose a newly registered Career and Technical Education (CTE) Apprenticeship program linked to high school, community college, and university levels. This program would require 900 hours of paid on-the-job training and at least 540 hours of CTE apprenticeship-related instruction.

The Associated Building and Contractors (ABC) has panned the proposal as has House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Ranking Member Bill Cassidy (R-LA). In a survey of its members, ABC found that the proposal will discourage employer and provider participation in the Government Registered Apprenticeship Program (GRAP) by needlessly adding more uncertainty and costs in the form of new recordkeeping and reporting requirements while also eliminating popular flexible, competency-based approaches to workforce development that are attractive to apprentices and employers. Representative Foxx and Senator Cassidy both issued statements opposing the rule on grounds that it would fundamentally make employer participation in registered apprenticeships more difficult.

DOL is accepting comments on the proposal through March 18.*

Congress: More Funding Delays and Leadership Transitions

As expected, Congress is poised to yet again kick the can on appropriations and approve a short-term Continuing Resolution to avoid a partial federal government shutdown on Saturday. Recall that funding for roughly half the government operations runs out March 1, while the second half expires on March 8. Under H.R. 7463, which the full House is considering on Thursday, the March 1 deadline would be extended until March 8 and the March 8 funding expiration would be pushed out until March 22.

In leadership news, long time Senate Republican leader—currently Minority Leader—Mitch McConnell announced he would step down from his leadership role in November. This development sets up a heated contest between top contenders Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), Senate Minority Whip John Thune (R-SD) and John Barrasso-Republican Conference Chairman (R-WY).

*For more information, or assistance submitting comment, please contact ABMA’s Government Affairs Team at info@abmalliance.org.