Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future

This executive order directs a review and streamlining of federal workforce development programs to align with U.S. reindustrialization goals, with a focus on expanding Registered Apprenticeships to over 1 million active apprentices. It mandates reports within 90 and 120 days identifying program consolidations, alternative credentials to four-year degrees, and strategies to upskill workers including in AI-related roles.

Federal Register Open PDF 90 FR 17525

Impact dates

Aug 21, 2025
Plan to reach 1 million new active apprentices due
Jul 22, 2025
Comprehensive workforce development strategy report due

Key directives

Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education to review all federal workforce development programs and submit report within 90 days
Report must identify integration opportunities, ineffective programs for reform/elimination/redirect, statutory authorities for innovation, upskilling strategies including AI, alternative credentials to 4-year degrees, and information collection efficiencies
Secretaries to submit plan within 120 days to reach and surpass 1 million new active apprentices
Plan must identify expansion to new industries/occupations, scaling measures, and enhanced education-apprenticeship connections through Perkins V and Federal student aid
Secretaries to improve transparency on performance outcomes including earnings and employment data

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Order issuance; Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education directed to begin reviews

Near term (90d)

Report due on comprehensive workforce development strategy (by July 22, 2025)
Report must identify ineffective programs for reform/elimination, administrative reforms, and alternative credential strategies

Long term

Plan due to reach 1 million new active apprentices (by August 21, 2025)
Potential program restructuring and consolidation based on recommendations
Implementation of transparency and accountability measures for workforce program outcomes

Risks & tensions

Potential tension between 'consolidating fragmented programs' and congressional appropriations committees with jurisdictional stakes
Vague standard for 'ineffective' programs creates uncertainty for grantees and beneficiaries
Alternative credentials push may conflict with existing higher education accreditation systems and stakeholder interests
'To the extent permissible by law' qualifier on employer-directed workforce needs may limit implementation scope
Subject to availability of appropriations may constrain actual restructuring