WASHINGTON – The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education provided an update today on the Trump Administration’s historic actions to integrate the federal government’s workforce development portfolio, announcing that the departments transitioned the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act state plan portal to the Labor Department to streamline federal workforce development programs. 

The move allows the departments of Labor and Education to jointly administer core WIOA programs, including adult education and family literacy programs. Subsequent efforts will focus on integrating the Perkins state plan portal into the WIOA state plan portal so states with combined WIOA state plans will be able to submit information through a single portal.

Since Oct. 1, the joint agencies have successfully processed nearly 800 payment requests from 43 unique states and territories and onboarded all grantees to GrantSolutions and Payment Management Systems, which are the grant and payment management systems used by the majority of all federal agencies.

The departments are also synchronizing the timeline for submitting the 2026 WIOA State Plan modifications and will provide joint feedback on submissions. On Nov. 25, 2025, the department issued guidance to governors and workforce boards, in collaboration with the Department of Education’s Office of Career, Technical, and Adult Education, related to available WIOA waiver and flexibility options, which also included recommendations for further integrating Perkins’ career and technical education programs into the public workforce system.

“The Department of Labor is committed to working closely with the Department of Education to reduce federal bureaucracy and better integrate our education and workforce development systems,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Lori Frazier Bearden. “We’re off to a strong start, already delivering targeted resources so states can develop clear pathways from education to good-paying jobs. Our success proves that streamlining resources and empowering states lead to better results for both taxpayers and job seekers.”

“This successful workforce partnership is proof that the Department of Labor is well-positioned to co-administer, implement, and streamline CTE and adult education programs to better meet the needs of Americans,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Career, Technical, and Adult Education Nick Moore. “With the ability to more easily and efficiently administer their programs, states across the country are already seeing positive results. Commonsense reforms work, and I’m proud to work alongside the experienced team at Labor to build the talent pipeline for the Golden Age of America.”

This workforce partnership builds on the work of several innovative states and governors, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Connecticut, Indiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah, among others, who have reduced duplication and increased efficiency by harmonizing and coordinating state agencies focused on education and workforce development.

Here’s what workforce leaders are saying:

• Alabama Governor Kay Ivey: “Alabama has positioned itself to be on the cutting edge of workforce innovations and opportunities because of remarkable coordination and collaboration. The newly formed Alabama Department of Workforce's mission is to elevate Alabama’s talent pipeline to benefit our state’s workforce future by connecting our incredible partners in education to industry demand. This new effort to streamline governmental programming by the U.S. Department of Labor and U.S. Department of Education will help promote that future by meeting the needs of Alabamians more effectively and efficiently. We are excited to do our part in leading the implementation of this new initiative and continue working with our partners to ensure its continued success.”
• Georgia Governor Brian Kemp: “In Georgia, my administration is building career pathways that connect K-12, CTE, workforce, and postsecondary programs to provide an integrated talent system designed to meet the needs of employers, jobseekers, and students. President Trump’s efforts to integrate Perkins CTE and adult education into the public workforce system is a long overdue, and commonsense reform that will bolster our state efforts.”
• Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves: "Mississippi is ahead of the curve when it comes to training people for the jobs of the future. I signed legislation that created the Office of Workforce Development (AccelerateMS) and overhauled our workforce development strategy. We’re already seeing that legislation bear fruit. Our state’s strategy aligns with the needs of the private sector, and we’re training Mississippians for jobs that pay above average wages and are in high demand. It’s a big reason we’re breaking so many economic development records. What a lot of states have lacked up until now is clarity from the federal government and the flexibility to let states lead. The steps the Trump administration and Secretary McMahon are taking to align workforce and education programs are giving states the room to solve problems, rather than forcing them to navigate bureaucracy. If we can stay focused on policy and outcomes at the federal level while allowing states and local leaders to drive implementation, we can build the kind of demand-driven, accountable workforce system America has needed for decades."
• Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen: “President Trump is leading the way – streamlining the federal government and helping states more easily invest in the next generation of our workforces. Directing federal agencies to partner and provide commonsense solutions helps states like Nebraska leverage all of our resources. We can’t thank the Trump Administration enough for their steadfast support and ongoing willingness to innovate and find ways to make government effective at the state level.”
• Jimmy Baker, Chancellor of the Alabama Community College System: “The Alabama Community College System is proud to serve as the state’s premier provider of education and workforce training. Across our colleges, we continue to innovate to meet the needs of students, employers, and communities, and our Innovation Center’s short-term ‘Skills for Success’ courses are a powerful example of that commitment. These programs provide rapid, high-quality training that connects learners to genuine opportunities and supports employers with job-ready talent. As federal efforts move toward stronger alignment between Perkins CTE, Adult Education, and the public workforce system, Alabama stands ready. Our system has already demonstrated how integrated planning and collaborative partnerships can elevate outcomes. The continued progress at the national level will further empower the work already underway across our colleges to build a skilled, competitive workforce for our state.”
• Dr. Eric Mackey, Alabama State Superintendent of Education: “We appreciate the U.S. Department of Education’s efforts to better align Perkins career and technical education funds and the public workforce system as we continue to work improve students’ academic and technical skills so Alabama students are prepared for high-demand careers when they graduate and enter the workforce. Since first combining our Perkins and WIOA plans in 2020, Alabama has made significant progress in workforce development and has led the way nationally through this innovative consolidation and integration of its Perkins and WIOA plans into a single, cohesive vision for workforce and talent development in our state. By working together with our partner agencies including the Department of Workforce and the State Workforce Board, we are building a stronger, more connected workforce pipeline for students, job seekers, and employers.”
• Courtney Taylor, Executive Director of Accelerate Mississippi: “For too long, workforce and education programs have been treated as separate silos – and it resulted in slow and duplicative programs that were disconnected from what employers actually need. States know how to build talent pipelines because they directly interact and work with businesses and communities every day. I welcome the administration’s effort to bring Perkins and the workforce system together and put decision-making closer to the people who feel the impact. When we can remove red tape and trust states to lead, we deliver tangible results: stronger employers, more skilled workers, and a more competitive America.”

On May 21, the departments of Labor and Education signed an Economy Act (31 U.S.C. § 1535) Interagency Agreement that permits federal agencies to procure goods and services from other federal agencies. Under the agreement, the Labor Department will perform certain day-to-day administrative services for the Education Department’s CTE and WIOA Title II programs alongside the larger suite of workforce programs that the Labor Department already administers. The Department of Education will maintain all statutory responsibilities for these programs, including policymaking, program determinations, and oversight responsibilities.   

On July 15, the departments announced the implementation of a workforce development partnership to better integrate the federal education and workforce systems. On September 8, the agencies launched an integrated WIOA state plan portal at the Labor Department to streamline these programs, allowing the Departments of Labor and Education to more easily coordinate administration of the core WIOA programs, including adult education and literacy programs. On September 26, 2025, OCTAE’s FY24 and FY25 Perkins V and Adult Education Basic Grants were reactivated through the Department of Labor’s GrantSolutions and the Payment Management System, just 15 days after the transition process began.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling applauded the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission today for taking action to help prevent discrimination against American workers. The EEOC released new and updated educational materials to reaffirm and emphasize legal protections against national origin discrimination, which can include preferring foreign workers by advertising job openings as only available to H-1B visa holders.

The EEOC’s efforts were a result of the department’s recently announced H-1B enforcement initiative Project Firewall, which aims to safeguard the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled American workers. The ongoing project ensures employers prioritize qualified Americans when hiring and includes enforcement actions to hold employers accountable if they abuse the H-1B visa program. 

“I applaud the EEOC for standing with the Department of Labor’s mandate under Project Firewall to ensure American workers have a fair chance to compete and succeed,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we will continue working with our federal partners to put an end to bad practices and safeguard opportunities for American workers.”

“The EEOC’s announcement underscores the importance of federal agencies working in concert to uphold the rights of workers. By sharing data, clarifying employer obligations, and aligning enforcement tools, we are better positioned to prevent discriminatory hiring practices and protect labor market integrity,” said Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling. 

“The EEOC stands ready to be a committed partner across the federal government,” said EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas. “With the scale of unlawful anti-American discrimination we’re seeing, robust investigation and enforcement – within the EEOC and with our federal partners – is essential to protecting America’s workforce.”

Through Project Firewall, the department is sharing information and coordinating with relevant government agencies, as permitted by law, to proactively combat unlawful discrimination against American workers and properly enforce the law by leveraging the full strength of the federal government. 

In addition to its partnership with the EEOC, the department is also collaborating with federal partners including the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services as part of this whole-of-government effort.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the September 2025 Employment Situation Report:

“Driven by impressive gains in private sector payrolls, our economy added 119,000 jobs in September – more than doubling expectations. We should’ve had this positive report seven weeks ago, but Democrats chose to play political games and shut down the government. Despite their constant efforts to undermine President Trump, he is building an economy that is firing on all cylinders. Job and yearly wage growth blew past expectations, more Americans are entering the workforce, and long-term unemployment is down.

“This report reflects an economy that was running strong going into the shutdown, proving this Administration’s America First policies are incredibly effective when Washington isn’t paralyzed by the Democrats’ noise. We expect this momentum to continue as the President’s full economic agenda takes effect, including the historic tax relief provided by the Working Family Tax Cuts and the trillions of dollars President Trump has secured to reindustrialize our nation.”

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Departments of Labor and Education today announced new interagency agreements to break up the federal education bureaucracy, ensure efficient delivery of funded programs, and move closer to fulfilling the President’s promise to return education to the states. By partnering with agencies that are best positioned to deliver results for students and taxpayers, these agreements will streamline federal education activities on the legally required programs, reduce administrative burdens, and refocus programs and activities to better serve students and grantees.

The new partnerships mark a major step toward improving the management of select Education programs by leveraging partner agencies’ administrative expertise and experience working with relevant stakeholders. These agreements follow a successful workforce development partnership signed with the Labor Department earlier this year, which has created an integrated federal education and workforce system and reduced the need for states to consult multiple federal agencies to effectively manage their programs.

“The Labor Department is committed to working with the Department of Education to ensure our K-12 and postsecondary education programs prepare students for today and tomorrow’s workforce demands,” said Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “Parents and community leaders understand how important training and education are for students from all walks of life to succeed and support their local economies. Secretary McMahon and I will continue advancing President Trump's vision to deliver effective, streamlined resources, so every student has a clear pathway from education to opportunity.”

"The Trump Administration is taking bold action to break up the federal education bureaucracy and return education to the states,” said Secretary of Education Linda McMahon. “Cutting through layers of red tape in Washington is one essential piece of our final mission. As we partner with these agencies to improve federal programs, we will continue to gather best practices in each state through our 50-state tour, empower local leaders in K-12 education, restore excellence to higher education, and work with Congress to codify these reforms. Together, we will refocus education on students, families, and schools – ensuring federal taxpayer spending is supporting a world-class education system.”

Elementary and Secondary Education Partnership

The Departments of Labor and Education are establishing the Elementary and Secondary Education Partnership to empower parents and states, promote innovation, and deliver program improvements in pursuit of better outcomes for students in elementary and secondary education. The Labor Department will take on a greater role in administering federal K-12 programs, ensuring these programs are better aligned with workforce and college programs to set students up for success at every part of their education journey. With oversight by the Education Department, the Labor Department will manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate Education Department programs with the larger suite of employment and training programs the Labor Department already administers.

View the partnership fact sheet for Elementary and Secondary Education.

Postsecondary Education Partnership

The Departments of Labor and Education are establishing the Postsecondary Education Partnership to better coordinate postsecondary education and workforce development programs. The Labor Department will take on a greater role in administering most postsecondary education grant programs authorized under the Higher Education Act. The backdrop for this agreement is our nation’s annual labor shortage of over 700,000 skilled jobs and the Trump Administration’s commitment to transforming the federal government’s approach to workforce development. 

These grants will help students from all walks of life obtain the credentials and career training they need to prosper and contribute to the American economy, as well as provide institutions of higher education with resources to support innovative strategies for learning and workforce advancement. With proper oversight by the Education Department, the Labor Department will manage competitions, provide technical assistance, and integrate the Education Department’s postsecondary education programs into the larger suite of programs the Labor Department already administers.

View the partnership fact sheet for Higher Education.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling today announced several newly Senate-confirmed senior agency leaders have officially joined the Department. The seven new agency heads were appointed by President Donald Trump to carry out the Administration’s mission of putting America First.

“I’m honored to welcome this team of passionate and hardworking Americans to the Department of Labor. Their expertise and experience will be critical in achieving our shared goal of putting American Workers First. President Trump has assembled a formidable team, and together, we will deliver real results for our workforce and make the American Dream attainable again,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. 

“Each of these talented leaders has a proven track record of tackling challenges, and I look forward to working with them to support and protect wage earners, job seekers, and retirees across the country. We are ready to hit the ground running to promote commonsense policies and administer vital programs on behalf of the American worker,” said Deputy Secretary Sonderling.

Employee Benefits Security Administration

Daniel Aronowitz was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as assistant secretary of the Employee Benefits Security Administration. The former president and founder of Encore Fiduciary, formerly Euclid, Mr. Aronowitz has 35 years of experience in the professional liability industry as a coverage lawyer and underwriter and is a widely recognized fiduciary liability expert, thought leader, and advocate for sponsors of employee benefit plans. Before joining the Trump Administration, he was the author of The Fid Guru Blog, the Fiduciary Liability Insurance Handbook, the fiduciary liability insurance chapter of the Trustee Handbook published by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans, and a co-author of the Professional Liability Underwriting Society’s Registered Professional Liability Underwriter training module on fiduciary insurance. He is a graduate of Ohio State University and Vanderbilt University School of Law and has achieved the RPLU+ designation from the Professional Liability Underwriting Society.

Mine Safety and Health Administration

Wayne Palmer was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the assistant secretary of the Mine Safety and Health Administration. Before his confirmation, Palmer served in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs at the Department of Labor and previously as executive vice president of the Essential Minerals Association. He also served at the Department during the first Trump Administration as principal deputy assistant secretary for the Mine Safety and Health Administration, following roles as White House Senior Advisor and Chief of Staff to the Secretary. Palmer also has 13 years of experience on Capitol Hill, including as a Senate chief of staff and legislative director. He began his career as a presidential management fellow at the Department of Commerce. A native of Easton, PA, he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in political science from Penn State. He also holds a master’s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania.

Occupational Safety and Health Administration

David Keeling was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the assistant secretary of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Before his confirmation, Keeling served as director of global transportation safety at Amazon and previously as vice president of global health and safety at UPS, where he led global safety and compliance initiatives over a 36-year career. Keeling is a longtime leader in the workplace safety community, having chaired the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Safety and OSHA Subcommittee and holding positions with the National Safety Council and American Society of Safety Professionals. He earned a degree in human resources leadership from Sullivan University.

Office of Disability Employment Policy

Julie Hocker was sworn in as assistant secretary for the Office of Disability Employment Policy after being appointed by President Trump. She leads the Office of Disability Employment Policy with a focus on expanding opportunity, strengthening accountability, and delivering results for workers with disabilities. A recognized leader in workforce development and disability policy, she previously served as U.S. Commissioner on Disabilities at HHS, where she launched national initiatives to improve employment outcomes and strengthen compliance. Before joining the Department of Labor, she was an executive in consulting, advancing disability and Medicaid reforms and advising on legislation to expand access to care and economic self-sufficiency. She has also served on the boards of the Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation and St. Mary’s College of Maryland. Hocker holds an M.B.A. from UNC’s Kenan-Flagler Business School and a B.A. in economics and political science from St. Mary’s College of Maryland. 

Office of the Chief Financial Officer

David Castillo was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the Department’s chief financial officer. Castillo most recently served as a financial advisor at Edward Jones Investments, where he worked for the last 18 years. Prior to joining the financial sector, he worked on several state and federal political campaigns, including former President Bush’s re-election campaign. He then held several prominent roles in the Administration, including as a deputy assistant secretary at the Department of Veterans Affairs and as a director at the Department of Homeland Security. Castillo graduated with a bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington and holds a master’s degree from Gonzaga University.

Office of the Solicitor

Jonathan Berry was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as the Solicitor of Labor. Before his confirmation, Berry was the managing partner of Boyden Gray PLLC, where he litigated, counseled, spoke, and wrote on labor and employment law and the regulatory process. He previously served at the Department of Labor during the first Trump Administration as acting assistant secretary in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy and at the Department of Justice as counsel to the assistant attorney general in the Office of Legal Policy. Earlier in his career, Berry clerked for Associate Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. on the Supreme Court of the United States and for Judge Jerry E. Smith on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. He also practiced law at Jones Day and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP. He earned a bachelor’s degree from Yale College and a J.D. from Columbia University School of Law. 

Wage and Hour Division

Andrew Rogers was confirmed by the United States Senate to serve as administrator of the Wage and Hour Division. Before his confirmation, Rogers served at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission as acting general counsel and previously as chief counsel and chief of staff. He previously served at the Department of Labor during the first Trump Administration as senior policy advisor to the administrator of the Wage and Hour Division. Rogers practiced law in the private sector at Littler Mendelson, PC and Paul Hastings LLP. He began his legal career clerking for Chief Judge Harvey Bartle III of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia with honors and a J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law.

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WASINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer today joined President Trump at the White House as the President announced the third most-favored-nation agreement, which will result in significant cost savings on fertility treatments. On the heels of the President’s announcement, the U.S. Department of Labor, joined by the Departments of Health and Human Services and Treasury, issued guidance designed to cut burdensome red tape, helping employers understand how to structure health benefits to expand access to fertility treatments like In Vitro Fertilization or IVF.

“President Trump is once again keeping his promises by taking decisive action to make health care more affordable for women, striking a significant deal to lower pharmaceutical costs of fertility medications and treatments,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “To provide additional flexibility for employers and insurers, the Labor Department, along with HHS and Treasury, are issuing additional guidance to employers who want to expand fertility benefits. We will keep fighting to make the American Dream achievable again and ensure American families are always put first.”

Following the President’s announcement today, the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Treasury issued new guidance in line with the President’s Executive Order 14216, “Expanding Access to In Vitro Fertilization.” The guidance clarifies existing categories of excepted benefits that employers can use to offer fertility benefits, including fertility treatment through a specified disease or illness policy, or offering reimbursement for those services through an excepted benefits health reimbursement arrangement.

The departments also intend to propose rulemaking aimed at providing additional ways that certain fertility benefits may be offered as a limited excepted benefit. The departments are also considering whether to modify the standards under which supplemental health insurance coverage provided by a group health plan, including a supplemental benefit for fertility coverage, will be considered to satisfy the conditions for being an excepted benefit.

CAMBRIDGE, MD – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer continued her nationwide America at Work listening tour last week with stops in Delaware and Maryland, where she highlighted hands-on workforce training programs that are helping more Americans access successful careers.

During her visits, the Secretary emphasized the importance of expanding Registered Apprenticeships by strengthening workforce partnerships at the federal, state, and local levels to meet the growing skills demand. She also highlighted how the Working Family Tax Cut’s pro-worker provisions are driving historic investments as companies bring jobs back to American soil.

“In the last 35 states I’ve visited on my America at Work listening tour, I’ve consistently heard from employers about the urgent need for a highly skilled workforce to fuel our nation’s economic comeback,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “In Delaware, we’re seeing how the Working Family Tax Cut’s 100 percent immediate expensing provision is empowering manufacturers like DuPont to invest in the future. And in Maryland, workforce training programs are equipping students with hands-on training for careers that support the Chesapeake Bay’s seafood industry. Under President Trump’s leadership, we’re ushering in a new Golden Age of prosperity by preparing America’s workforce to fill in-demand, mortgage-paying jobs being created across the country.”

Delaware

In Delaware, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer visited DuPont’s Newark-Bellevue facility, a key site supporting the global semiconductor industry. She toured the manufacturing floor and observed the production of polishing pads and slurries used in chemical mechanical planarization, a critical process in chipmaking. During the visit, the Secretary met with company leaders to highlight the Trump Administration’s commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing, expanding workforce partnerships, and advancing pro-growth policies in the Working Family Tax Cut that empower companies to innovate and compete globally.

Maryland

In Cambridge, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer visited the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory, where she toured an oyster hatchery and met with faculty and staff to discuss the critical need for universities, community colleges, and technical schools to cultivate skilled talent pipelines for in-demand careers in the trades and advanced industries. The Secretary learned how oyster aquaculture and coastal resilience programs are preparing students with hands-on training for careers in environmental research while providing critical data that supports Chesapeake Bay communities and Maryland’s seafood economy. She underscored the Department of Labor’s commitment to upskilling the nation’s workforce and highlighted ongoing efforts to expand Registered Apprenticeships through strong federal and state partnerships, which will help meet President Trump’s goal of one million new apprenticeships nationwide.

Launched in April, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s America at Work listening tour is bringing real-world feedback from American workers to policymakers in Washington. Earlier this month, the Secretary celebrated National Tradesmen Day in Alaska, visiting a state-of-the-art pipeline training center to showcase how the Trump Administration is investing in rebuilding the skilled workforce needed to restore American energy dominance and unleash economy prosperity.

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer today announced Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, will be inducted into the department’s Hall of Honor in recognition of his enduring pro-worker legacy.

“As we close out Labor Month, I’m honored to announce President Roosevelt’s induction into our Hall of Honor, recognizing his record as a true champion of American workers,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “President Roosevelt understood that labor and business thrive when everyone comes to the table to work together, a goal he and I share. As we continue celebrating America’s 250th birthday, it’s only fitting to honor a former president who shared President Trump’s goal of putting American workers first.”

Created in 1988, the Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor showcases exceptional leaders who have made life-changing contributions to the way Americans work. Their distinctive contributions have elevated working conditions, wages, and overall quality of life of America’s hardworking families.

“On behalf of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, we would like to thank Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer for inducting Theodore Roosevelt into the Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor,” said Theodore Roosevelt Association Executive Director Chris Cosentino. “This recognition not only celebrates Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy of advocating for honesty, decency, and the square deal for all, but it reminds us that the values he championed remain essential to the American workforce today.”

As America’s youngest president, Theodore Roosevelt mediated labor and business by establishing the Department of Commerce and Labor in 1903 to ensure workers had a voice at the highest levels of government. The Theodore Roosevelt Association notes that the former president helped negotiate a coal strike settlement, which was “first time the president personally mediated between business and labor.” 

As part of the nation’s 250th birthday celebration, the department is also honoring President Roosevelt’s legacy by featuring him on a banner at its Frances Perkins Building headquarters, alongside President Trump.

Learn more about the Department of Labor’s Hall of Honor.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced Alabama and Colorado have each received $12.5 million in funding to develop resources and invest in educational pipelines that lead to more Registered Apprenticeship opportunities. 

These agreements advance the department’s ongoing efforts to implement presidential executive orders related to expanding the Registered Apprenticeship program, including, “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future,” and “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth.”

“The continued growth of our nation’s Registered Apprenticeship system depends on strong federal and state partnerships. To Make America Skilled Again, we are following President Trump’s direction to provide more resources at the local level so we can reach our goal of 1 million new apprenticeships nationwide,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “Our exciting new partnerships with Alabama and Colorado will help build stronger pathways for our young people to enter Registered Apprenticeships and streamline the creation of new Registered Apprenticeships to meet businesses’ unique needs.”

In Alabama, the state’s Commission on Higher Education will support the expansion of Registered Apprenticeships as a workforce training solution by making it easier to register new programs and reduce start-up costs. 

Key components of the cooperative agreement with Alabama include:

• Working with state apprenticeship agencies and the department’s Office of Apprenticeship to create a template for evaluating existing apprenticeship work processes and occupational frameworks.
• Developing a publicly available online tool to catalog, display, and distribute apprenticeship training outlines in an accessible, machine-readable format.
• Using an employer-demand driven approach to create national frameworks for occupations where no models exist, or where existing models do not meet employer needs.

In Colorado, the state’s Department of Labor and Employment will develop tools and resources to expand pre-apprenticeships and ensure youth-serving apprenticeships are fully integrated with career and technical education and post-secondary education. 

Key components of the Colorado cooperative agreement include: 

• Developing tools, frameworks, and resources to help expand pre-apprenticeships that lead to Registered Apprenticeships.
• Ensuring pre-apprenticeship and Registered Apprenticeship models align with career, technical education, and post-secondary education.
• Integrating Registered Apprenticeship into secondary and post-secondary pathways, expanding career exploration resources in schools, and addressing regulatory barriers for youth employment. 

Understanding specific models for Registered Apprenticeship opportunities for youth, analyzing available data for each, and conducting assessments that result in actionable templates for voluntary adoption by employers, educators, and training providers.

FAIRBANKS, AK – In recognition of National Tradesmen Day, U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer brought her America at Work listening tour to Alaska last week where she highlighted how the Trump Administration is investing in rebuilding the skilled workforce needed to restore American energy dominance and unleash economic prosperity.

While in Alaska, the Secretary toured a family-owned pipe manufacturing and insulation company and joined Sen. Dan Sullivan for a visit to a state-of-the-art training center preparing Alaskans for careers in the oil, gas, and construction industries. 

“Under President Trump’s leadership, we are expanding apprenticeships to build a steady pipeline of talent to restore domestic energy production and advance our mission to Make America Skilled Again,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “Alaska’s skilled workers are at the heart of America’s economic resurgence, and I’m grateful to Senator Sullivan for the opportunity to see firsthand how Alaskans are working hard to restore American energy dominance.”

“I want to thank Secretary Chavez-DeRemer for joining me in Fairbanks, keeping a commitment she made to me during her confirmation process to visit our great state. We toured the state-of-the-art facilities of the Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center and then had a productive roundtable with labor leaders, and state and local officials,” said Sen. Dan Sullivan. “Between the major resource provisions in the recently signed budget reconciliation bill, the resurgence of oil production on the North Slope, new momentum behind the Alaska LNG project, and the billions of dollars in military, Coast Guard and infrastructure investments coming to Alaska – we are on the verge of a strong economic comeback. I look forward to working with the secretary to build the skilled workforce we need, train Alaskans for the incredible job opportunities coming to our state, and strengthen our economy for the benefit of Alaska’s working families.”

Flowline Alaska

On Sept. 18, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer toured Flowline Alaska’s manufacturing and welding facilities to see how the company supports vital pipeline projects across Alaska’s North Slope. She observed the production of steel pipe insulation, corrosion coatings, pipe spool fabrication, double joint welding, and module and skid fabrication, which are critical for maintaining a reliable supply chain and sustaining robust oil production to unleash American energy. 

Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center

On Sept. 19, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Sen. Sullivan visited the Fairbanks Pipeline Training Center, a leading regional hub preparing Alaskans for skilled trade careers. They toured the facility’s welding center to meet with pipefitter apprentices gaining hands-on training for pipeline assembly and installation. The group then visited the field site’s heavy equipment mechanic and Teamsters truck shops to see how apprentices train together to install pipes on Alaska’s North Slope. 

During the visit, the Secretary highlighted how the department is delivering on President Trump’s Executive Order on Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future. She noted that over 180,000 new Registered Apprentices have been added since January, helping to build a strong, reliable pipeline of skilled workers across the country and meet the President’s goal of one million active apprentices.

Following the tour, the Secretary joined state legislators, business and labor leaders, and local Teamsters members for a roundtable discussion focused on how a skilled workforce is key to restoring American energy dominance. 

Alaska marked Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s 34th state on her nationwide America at Work listening tour, which she launched in early April to hear more about the challenges and opportunities facing everyday Americans. Recently, the Secretary toured a nationally recognized shipbuilding apprenticeship school and visited local manufacturers in Virginia to highlight President Trump’s pro-growth, pro-worker agenda.