Documents › Executive orders › 14278
Executive Order 14278
Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future
Signed April 23, 2025, printed at 90 FR 17525. 5 sections of substance, 853 words.
This order backs training for skilled trades. It aims to fill jobs in building and making things.
Sec. 1. Purpose
To maximize my Administration's historic investments in America's reindustrialization and economic growth, my Administration will fully equip the American worker to produce world-class products and implement world-leading technologies. My Administration will also consolidate and streamline fragmented Federal workforce development programs that are too disconnected from propelling workers into secure, well- paying, and high-need American jobs.
To maximize my Administration's historic investments in America's reindustrialization and economic growth, my Administration will fully equip the American worker to produce world-class products and implement world-leading technologies. My Administration will also consolidate and streamline fragmented Federal workforce development programs that are too disconnected from propelling workers into secure, well- paying, and high-need American jobs.
This states the aim. It cites large investments in industry here. It says workers must be equipped to match. World class products are the goal. Leading technology is too. It says federal job training programs are scattered. It says they must be merged and simplified. It says they do not lead workers to good jobs.
Sec. 2. Policy
It is the policy of the United States to optimize and target Federal investments in workforce development to align with our country's reindustrialization needs and equip American workers to fill the growing demand for skilled trades and other occupations. My Administration will further protect and strengthen Registered Apprenticeships and build on their successes to seize new opportunities and unlock the limitless potential of the American worker.
It is the policy of the United States to optimize and target Federal investments in workforce development to align with our country's reindustrialization needs and equip American workers to fill the growing demand for skilled trades and other occupations. My Administration will further protect and strengthen Registered Apprenticeships and build on their successes to seize new opportunities and unlock the limitless potential of the American worker.
This states the policy. Training money must match what industry needs. Workers are to be equipped for skilled trades. Apprentice programs are to be protected. They are also to be built on. The aim is more chances for workers.
Sec. 3. Comprehensive Worker Investment and Development Strategy
Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Education shall review all Federal workforce development programs and submit to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a report setting forth strategies to help the American worker. That report shall identify the following: (a) Opportunities to integrate systems and realign resources to address critical workforce needs and in- demand skills of emerging industries and companies investing in the United States as determined, to the extent permissible by law, by prospective employers. The report shall include: (i) administrative reforms to agency policies and programmatic requirements; (ii) process improvements to better the experience for program participants; and (iii) recommendations to further restructure
Within 90 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Education shall review all Federal workforce development programs and submit to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a report setting forth strategies to help the American worker. That report shall identify the following: (a) Opportunities to integrate systems and realign resources to address critical workforce needs and in- demand skills of emerging industries and companies investing in the United States as determined, to the extent permissible by law, by prospective employers. The report shall include: (i) administrative reforms to agency policies and programmatic requirements; (ii) process improvements to better the experience for program participants; and (iii) recommendations to further restructure
This asks for a report in 90 days. Three agency heads must review all training programs. The report goes to two White House offices. It must find ways to join up systems. It must name skills that employers now want. It must suggest changes to agency rules.
Sec. 4. Expanding Registered Apprenticeships
Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Education shall submit to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a plan to reach and surpass 1 million new active apprentices. That plan shall identify the following: (a) Avenues to expand Registered Apprenticeships to new industries and occupations, including high-growth and emerging sectors. (b) Measures to scale this proven model across the country, improve its efficiency, and provide consistent support to program participants. (c) Opportunities, including through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (Perkins V) Act and Federal student aid, to enhance connections between the education system and Registered Apprenticeships.
Within 120 days of the date of this order, the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Education shall submit to the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and the Director of the Office of Management and Budget a plan to reach and surpass 1 million new active apprentices. That plan shall identify the following: (a) Avenues to expand Registered Apprenticeships to new industries and occupations, including high-growth and emerging sectors. (b) Measures to scale this proven model across the country, improve its efficiency, and provide consistent support to program participants. (c) Opportunities, including through the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education (Perkins V) Act and Federal student aid, to enhance connections between the education system and Registered Apprenticeships.
This sets a target. Three agency heads must file a plan in 120 days. The plan aims for one million new apprentices. It must find new trades to bring in. It must find ways to scale the model. It must link schools and apprentice programs.
Sec. 5. Delivering Unprecedented Transparency and Accountability
The Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Education shall improve transparency on the performance outcomes of workforce development programs and credentials supported through Federal investments, including earnings and employment data, for all Federal workforce development programs.
The Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of Education shall improve transparency on the performance outcomes of workforce development programs and credentials supported through Federal investments, including earnings and employment data, for all Federal workforce development programs.
This adds openness. Three secretaries must act. Labor is one. Commerce is another. Education is the third. They must show how job training programs turn out. Credentials paid for with federal money count. Pay data must be shown. So must data on who got a job. Every federal program is covered.
Sec. 6. General Provisions
Every order carries this. It is not what the order does.
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 17527]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, April 23, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-07369 Filed 4-25-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
(a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. [[Page 17527]] (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. <GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT> (Presidential Sig.) THE WHITE HOUSE, April 23, 2025. [FR Doc. 2025-07369 Filed 4-25-25; 8:45 am] Billing code 3395-F4-P </pre></body> </html>
This is the closing clause that nearly every order carries. It says the order does not change what the law already allows. It also says no one can sue to enforce it.
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