WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the launch of its opinion letter program. This expands the department’s longstanding commitment to providing meaningful compliance assistance that helps workers, employers and other stakeholders understand how federal labor laws apply in specific workplace situations. 

The program spans five key enforcement agencies within the department: 

• The Wage and Hour Division will issue opinion letters.
• The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will provide letters of interpretation.
• The Employee Benefits Security Administration will release advisory opinions and information letters.
• The Veterans’ Employment and Training Service will issue opinion letters.
• The Mine Safety and Health Administration will provide compliance assistance resources through its new MSHA Information Hub, a centralized platform offering guidance, regulatory updates, training materials and technical support. 

“Opinion letters are an important tool in ensuring workers and businesses alike have access to clear, practical guidance,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling. “Launching this program is part of our broader effort to empower the public with the information they need to understand and comply with the laws the department enforces.” 

Opinion letters provide official written interpretations from the department’s enforcement agencies, explaining how laws apply to specific factual circumstances presented by individuals or organizations. By addressing real-world questions, they promote clarity, consistency, and transparency in the application of federal labor standards. 

To support this effort, the department has launched a landing page at dol.gov/opinion-letters. The new site allows users to explore past guidance and provides an easy way to submit new requests to the appropriate agency. 

For general questions about federal labor laws, individuals can visit dol.gov or call the department’s toll-free helpline at 1-866-4-USA-DOL (1-866-487-2365).

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced it will begin a phased pause in operations at contractor-operated Job Corps centers nationwide, initiating an orderly transition for students, staff, and local communities. The decision follows an internal review of the program’s outcome and structure and will be carried out in accordance with available funding, the statutory framework established under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, and congressional notification requirements.  

The pause of operations at all contractor-operated Job Corps centers will occur by June 30, 2025. As the transition begins, the department is collaborating with state and local workforce partners to assist current students in advancing their training and connecting them with education and employment opportunities. 

The department’s decision aligns with the President’s FY 2026 budget proposal and reflects the Administration’s commitment to ensure federal workforce investments deliver meaningful results for both students and taxpayers.

 “Job Corps was created to help young adults build a pathway to a better life through education, training, and community,” said Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “However, a startling number of serious incident reports and our in-depth fiscal analysis reveal the program is no longer achieving the intended outcomes that students deserve. We remain committed to ensuring all participants are supported through this transition and connected with the resources they need to succeed as we evaluate the program’s possibilities.” 

The Job Corps program has faced significant financial challenges under its current operating structure. In PY 2024, the program operated at a $140 million deficit, requiring the Biden administration to implement a pause in center operations to complete the program year. The deficit is projected to reach $213 million in PY 2025.   

On April 25, 2025, the department’s Employment and Training Administration released the first-ever Job Corps Transparency Report, which analyzed the financial performance and operational costs of the most recently available metrics of program year 2023. A summary of the overall findings: 

• Average Graduation Rate (WIOA Definition): 38.6%
• Average Cost Per Student Per Year: $80,284.65         
• Average Total Cost Per Graduate (WIOA Definition): $155,600.74
• Post separation, participants earn $16,695 annually on average.
• The total number of Serious Incident Reports for program year 2023: 14,913 infractions.
  • Inappropriate Sexual Behavior and Sexual Assaults Reported: 372
  • Acts of Violence Reported: 1,764
  • Breaches of Safety or Security: 1,167
  • Reported Drug Use: 2,702
  • Total Hospital Visits: 1,808

Additional information can be found in the FAQs.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced five political appointees for the Wage and Hour Division, including an acting administrator and four policy advisors. 

The team will help Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Deputy Secretary Keith Sonderling put the American worker first by carrying out the division’s critical mission to promote and achieve compliance with labor standards that protect and enhance the welfare of the nation's workforce. 

Donald M. Harrison III began serving as acting administrator of the division on April 1, 2025. Before joining the department, Don held several positions with the Alabama Department of Workforce, formerly the Alabama Department of Labor, including general counsel and deputy secretary. Prior to serving in Alabama’s state government, Don worked for nine years as an attorney in private law practice in Birmingham. Don has a B.S. from Auburn University and holds a J.D. from University of Alabama School of Law.

Caroline Brown serves as a senior policy advisor. Prior to this appointment, Caroline spent her career at Fisher & Phillips LLP where she developed expertise in federal and state wage laws. She received her B.S. from the University of Florida and her J.D. from Nova Southeastern University. 

W. Glenn Viers serves as a senior policy advisor. From Atlanta, Glenn previously provided legal advice as the vice president & general counsel of the Hillstone Restaurant Group Inc. for more than three decades, overseeing wage and hour, OSHA, EEO compliance, and governmental affairs. He began his legal career practicing labor and employment law with Alston & Bird LLP after clerking for Hon. J. L. Edmondson on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit in Atlanta. He received his J.D. from the Wake Forest University School of Law.

Garrett Buttrey serves as a senior policy advisor. Before joining the department, he was chief counsel of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, and practiced law in the private sector, focusing on labor and employment matters. He received his B.A. from the University of Tennessee and J.D. from George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School.

Dana M. Deason, PHR, SHRM-CP serves as a policy advisor. She has over twenty years of experience in the private sector. Before joining the department, she held several senior management positions with Arkansas-based transportation companies, focusing on labor relations and human resources compliance. She received her B.A. from Westminster College.

COLUMBUS, OH – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer visited Columbus Monday to highlight significant investments by Anheuser-Busch and McDonald’s aimed at bolstering manufacturing and workforce development in the United States. The announcements come as President Trump continues fighting to revitalize the economy by reducing America’s $1.2 trillion trade deficit and creating jobs in critical industries that have been left behind, including manufacturing.

Anheuser-Busch

During a press conference Monday morning, Anheuser-Busch announced a $300 million manufacturing investment through its “Brewing Futures” initiative. A key component of this investment is a new regional Technical Excellence Center in Columbus, expanding a successful program that has advanced skills training for more than 1,200 employees since 2022.

“Anheuser-Busch is demonstrating exactly what it means to put American workers first,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “They have been a shining example of what ‘Made in America’ means, and their latest investment of $300 million builds on a longtime commitment to grow our workforce and expand U.S. manufacturing.”

Learn more about the announcement on Anheuser-Busch’s website.

McDonald’s

The Secretary joined McDonald’s USA President Joe Erlinger to mark a milestone at a restaurant in Lewis Center, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the company’s Archways to Opportunity educational program. Over the past decade, the program has created opportunities for over 90,000 restaurant crew members – helping them through high school, pay for college, and  more by providing over $240 million in tuition assistance.

Additionally, McDonald’s and its franchisees announced a pledge to hire up to 375,000 workers for the summer, adding to their existing team of nearly 800,000. The company currently has more than 14,000 locations nationwide and touts a total GDP impact of $76 billion.

“Investments and milestones like these add momentum to our job market and help create a more capable workforce,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “I would like to thank Joe and his entire team for empowering franchisees, supporting our workers, and investing in America. It’s an honor to celebrate an occasion that is sure to bring great success for our economy and the American worker.”

Watch the full press conference. 

Union Roundtable

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer also stopped by Central Midwest Regional Council of Carpenters’ Columbus facility, where she met students and held a roundtable discussion with building trades and first responder unions. 

The group talked about President Trump’s executive orders on artificial intelligence and apprenticeships, OSHA safety standards, deregulation to drive economic growth, and police recruitment. Central Midwest Carpenters have around 2,300 apprentices in Ohio and are involved in over 200 schools.

DENVER – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer continued her America at Work Tour in Denver on May 7, meeting with leaders from the Western States Regional Council of Carpenters and the Southwest Mountain States Carpenters Training Fund at an apprentice training facility.

During Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s meeting with leaders from both groups, she gained insight into WSRCC’s hands-on workforce development programs and learned more about the Southwest Carpenters Training Fund, which is responsible for training over 11,000 apprentices in 12 states. 

The Secretary then participated in a discussion with leaders from CareerWise USA, a national nonprofit dedicated to expanding youth apprenticeships, as well as Pinnacol Assurance and Intertech Plastics, two of the dozens of companies that partner with CareerWise to hire apprentices.

“As the Labor Department continues our efforts to meet President Trump’s goal of one million new active apprentices, it is essential to connect with the organizations that are successfully advancing workforce development in their communities,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “The partnerships I learned about demonstrate the importance of collaboration to build a strong, resilient workforce, which is especially important as this Administration advances America First policies to bring jobs back to the U.S. I’ll continue moving forward with commonsense policies to ensure every worker, regardless of their background, has the skills they need to succeed.”

Also on May 7, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer joined the Colorado Business Roundtable’s “Future of Work: Looking Around Corners” conference. The discussion focused on exploring where the future of work is headed, including in emerging industries like artificial intelligence. The group discussed President Trump’s Executive Order, “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future,” highlighting the important role apprenticeships play in developing a workforce that fits region-specific needs.

Colorado marked Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s seventh stop on her nationwide America at Work listening tour, which she launched in early April. So far, she has brought together union leaders, business owners, community college educators, local elected officials, and others to fulfill her goal of bringing real-world feedback from American workers to the policymaking table in Washington.

TUCSON, AZ – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer joined Rep. Juan Ciscomani in Tucson yesterday to see Pima Community College’s state-of-the-art workforce development programs in action. Pima Community Chancellor Dr. Jeffrey Nasse, Provost Ian Roark, President and CEO of the Chamber of Southern Arizona Joe Snell, and local business leaders joined the Secretary and Rep. Ciscomani to discuss collaborate efforts to build a stronger workforce pipeline. 

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Rep. Ciscomani then joined a roundtable discussion with members of the Arizona Builders Alliance. The conversation focused on workforce shortages in the construction industry and policies that reduce unnecessary red tape to empower workers and businesses.

“With strong growth in the construction industry thanks to President Trump’s America First policies, it’s critical the Labor Department continues our mission to upskill American workers by partnering with local leaders to fill these in-demand jobs,” said Secretary Chavez-DeRemer. “I enjoyed learning firsthand how educators and businesses in Tucson have developed pathways to successful, good-paying careers in construction and building trades. Thank you to my friend Congressman Ciscomani for showcasing these achievements and explaining the challenges facing Arizona’s 6th District. I look forward to collaborating on workforce solutions that continue growing our economy.”

“I am incredibly grateful to my good friend, Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer for her leadership, commitment to empowering our workers, support for workforce development efforts, and for taking the time to meet with educators, business leaders, and employees in my district,” said Ciscomani. “Secretary Chavez-DeRemer is a fantastic partner, and I look forward to continuing working with her to deliver on our promise to America’s workforce.”

Following her stop in Tucson, Secretary Chavez-DeRemer delivered a keynote speech today at the American Trucking Association’s mid-year management session. The speech highlighted the importance of job training programs that give truckers the resources needed to succeed and stay safe on the job. 

“To every driver, equipment manufacturer, supplier, and motor carrier listening, I know I speak for our whole country when I say thank you,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “I’m here today to deliver a clear message: President Trump and I are proud to have your back. This administration understands that a strong workforce and a booming economy doesn’t build itself; it takes investment, training, and a belief in the next generation.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer issued the following statement regarding the release of President Donald Trump’s Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request:

“President Trump’s first budget proposal reaffirms his unwavering commitment to putting American workers first, encouraging and empowering states to upskill their workers by expanding apprenticeship opportunities,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “Coming on the heels of multiple expectation-defying jobs reports, this budget will ignite even more growth by realigning and improving the Department of Labor’s critical mission while slashing costly red tape and allowing workers to keep more of their hard-earned money. The President is securing a prosperous future for all American workers from start to finish, beginning with a good-paying job all the way to ensuring a secure retirement.”

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

“We’re just over 100 days in, and President Trump has already kept his promise to revitalize our economy by creating nearly half a million new jobs – once again beating expectations this month by 40,000. The private sector is booming, with expansion continuing in critical sectors previously abandoned by decades of failed policies that sold out American workers. The April jobs report showed strong growth in construction, with 11,000 jobs created, and transportation and warehousing, with 29,000 jobs added. At the same time, every dollar is going a little further – burdensome regulations that drive up the cost of living are being eliminated, and wages continue to grow.

“With a businessman and master negotiator in the White House, we are finally bringing jobs back to our country. President Trump has secured nearly $8 trillion in new investment pledges, and every single dollar will further advance our economic resurgence – putting American workers first by boosting the production of goods right here in the United States. These decisive actions are building an economy that will be more reliable, resilient, and efficient to ensure our workforce can grow and prosper.”

WASHINGTON – U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer celebrated National Apprenticeship Day today by welcoming the International Association of Fire Fighters for a ceremonial signing event highlighting the importance of apprenticeships and ways the program can unlock a multitude of possibilities for the American worker.

The National Apprenticeship Day 2025 event recognized IAFF’s new National Apprenticeship Guideline Standards and honored the union’s commitment to training their firefighters and emergency personnel through the Registered Apprenticeship model. 

Since its inception in 2015, National Apprenticeship Week has been an annual nationwide celebration for employers, educators, state agencies, unions, and many others to showcase how Registered Apprenticeships improve and expand career pathways for American workers, while helping employers drive economic growth across all industries. In those 10 years, more than 1.9 million people participated in more than 10,000 National Apprenticeship Week events, and over 1,800 proclamations have been issued in support of Registered Apprenticeships. Typically celebrated in the fall, National Apprenticeship Week will move to the spring beginning in 2026 following stakeholder feedback. 

The Trump Administration has committed to enhancing and expanding the National Apprenticeship system, with two recent executive orders, “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future” and “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth.” These decisive actions will unlock the limitless potential of the American worker by strengthening Registered Apprenticeships, modernizing workforce development programs, educating America’s youth to keep up with technology advancements, and investing in upskilling workers to meet current labor market demands.

National Apprenticeship Day 2025 will include nearly 1,000 events and proclamations in all 50 states and territories across the country. These events highlight innovation and cooperation between employers, apprentices and apprentice graduates, educational institutions, community-based organizations, federal partners, industry associations, intermediaries, labor unions, state agencies, elected officials, and many others. 

“As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Day, this administration remains committed to expanding and strengthening registered apprenticeships, guaranteeing the skilled workforce necessary for businesses to thrive,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer. “I will personally ensure the Labor Department is helping to fulfill our bold goal of exceeding one million active apprentices and empower American workers to fill high-demand jobs that will secure economic prosperity. I was honored to host firefighters with the International Association of Fire Fighters today as we celebrated progressing toward that goal with new apprenticeship standards for first responders.”  

Find a National Apprenticeship Day event near you and learn how to participate. 

WASHINGTON – To mark President Donald Trump’s successful first 100 days in office, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer traveled to California’s Central Valley to meet with local businesses and workers who are benefiting from the new Administration’s America First policies. The Secretary joined Rep. Vince Fong for a workforce development roundtable and a tour of a California Resources Corporation’s energy facilities.

“It was great to celebrate President Trump’s first 100 days near the community I grew up in California’s Central Valley,” Secretary Chavez-DeRemer said. “From demand-focused job training to strengthening our energy security, the Central Valley is at the cutting edge of economic development. I appreciate Congressman Fong for hosting me as I continue hearing the stories of America at Work.”

“It was an honor to host Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, a proud Central Valley native, in my district,” said Rep. Vince Fong. “She understands firsthand our region’s vital role as the economic engine of California, and I look forward to working closely with her to advance policies that strengthen our local economy and create more opportunities for the hardworking people of the Central Valley.”

Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Congressman Fong first held a roundtable with the Fresno Economic Development Corporation. EDC’s workforce development program, Good Jobs 4 the Central Valley, unites dozens of organizations to place 2,500 people into high-quality jobs through demand-focused programming.

Following the roundtable, they visited Bakersfield and participated in an educational tour hosted by California Resources Corporation (CRC). CRC gave Secretary Chavez-DeRemer and Congressman Fong an in-depth review of local energy facilities and an exclusive preview of upcoming projects – an integral part in unleashing America’s energy independence.