East Idaho Times

U.S. Senators Mike Crapo, Jim Risch, and John Barrasso have raised concerns over the Biden Administration's proposed changes to the National Apprenticeship System. In a joint statement, the Senators expressed their opposition to the "the National Apprenticeship System Enhancements" rule, which they believe would impose unnecessary regulatory burdens on apprenticeship programs across the country.

According to the Senators, the proposed rule would introduce rigid requirements for on-the-job and classroom training hours, potentially leading to the termination of non-union apprenticeships without proper verification. They highlighted that such changes could disproportionately impact programs in rural areas and small businesses, which may struggle to meet the stringent requirements due to limited resources and flexibility. The Senators emphasized that these changes could exacerbate the existing labor shortage in the country.

In their letter to the U.S. Department of Labor, the Senators emphasized the importance of apprenticeships in providing individuals with valuable on-the-job training and skills. They criticized the one-size-fits-all approach of the proposed rule, stating that it fails to consider the diverse dynamics of apprenticeship programs in different localities and industries. The Senators also highlighted the potential challenges that small businesses may face in fulfilling the burdensome requirements outlined in the proposed rule.

The letter was co-signed by several other Senators who shared similar concerns about the impact of the proposed changes on apprenticeship programs. The group included Senators Cynthia Lummis, Cindy Hyde-Smith, Roger Wicker, Shelley Moore Capito, John Kennedy, Ted Budd, Marsha Blackburn, Kevin Cramer, Mike Lee, John Hoeven, Tim Scott, Ted Cruz, Bill Hagerty, Steve Daines, Mike Rounds, James Lankford, Mike Braun, John Thune, and Todd Young.

The Senators called on the Biden Administration's U.S. Department of Labor to reconsider the proposed changes to the National Apprenticeship System and to take into account the unique needs and challenges faced by apprenticeship programs nationwide. The full text of the letter can be accessed for further details and information.