The Labor Department is seeking comment on a proposed rule that would eliminate the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program started under the Trump administration so the department can direct its resources toward Registered Apprenticeships (union apprenticeship programs are “registered apprenticeships”).
The proposal is part of the Biden administration’s larger apprenticeship effort, which includes expanding and strengthening the Registered Apprenticeship model and investing in pipelines to these programs. In the proposal to eliminate IRAPS, the department stated that IRAPs create a duplicative system that could lead to lower quality standards for training and poorer safety and welfare protections for apprentices compared to Registered Apprenticeship Programs. Learn more.