(The Center Square) — Virginia Rep. Bob Good introduced legislation Thursday that seeks to make industry-led apprenticeship programs more common and accessible to Americans who don’t have or don’t want to obtain a college degree.
“Colleges and universities are failing our students, saddling them with thousands of dollars in student loan debt and sending them into the workforce unprepared,” Good said. “My legislation seeks to provide another way—one that avoids an average of $28,000 in college debt, provides a much-needed boost for American employers in desperate need of skilled worker, and strengthens the economy.”
The bill calls on the Department of Labor to approve third-party organizations as “standards recognition entities” to review and approve private sector apprenticeship programs. Every industry-recognized apprenticeship program must include, at minimum, paid work, on-the-job learning, a mentorship component, education and classroom instruction, a written development plan and apprenticeship agreement and safety and supervision components, according to the bill.
“Every young person deserves the chance to achieve the American Dream, and for many, that means gaining skills through apprenticeships, not a four-year degree,” said Peter Holland, Federal Affairs Director at the Foundation for Government Accountability.
The legislation aims to create more opportunities for American workers and fill gaps in the American workforce by making industry credentials easier to obtain.
“Rep. Good’s Developing America’s Workforce Act will expand industry-led programs our economy and workforce desperately need. Generating more opportunities to train skilled workers will ensure employers, not the government, can create family-supporting jobs and supercharge the American economy,” Holland said.
Good will be replaced in January by state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, who defeated Good in the congressional primary and won the election for the 5th district.
