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National Apprenticeship Act of 2021

Floor Speech

Date: Feb. 5, 2021
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Employment and Affirmative Action

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Mr. FULCHER. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act.

This bill invites continued Federal rules that hinder Idaho's ability to use industry-based standards.

There is a lot of success with apprenticeships in Idaho. From companies like Idaho Power, Micron Technology, and St. Luke's Hospital to small businesses of all types, apprenticeships are crucial to job growth in the Gem State.

These businesses partner with colleges and universities across my State, connecting skill development to college degrees from regionally accredited schools.

Whether it is Idaho Power partnering with the College of Southern Idaho or the many small entrepreneurs working with schools like College of Western Idaho, North Idaho College, Lewis-Clark State College, and others, businesses need the flexibility to use approved third parties to certify apprenticeship programs.

Make no mistake, Idahoans are used to dealing with heavy-handed Federal bureaucracy. Despite long wait times for approval by the Federal Department of Labor, our State officials continue to succeed in setting up apprenticeship programs. But often, Idaho's labor officials must use existing occupations because the Federal Department of Labor doesn't have standards for new ones.

Why make it harder by removing qualified third parties that can approve industry-recognized apprenticeship programs needed for our economy?

Why eliminate the opportunity for employees to participate in industry-based programs where they can go to school, get paid work experience, and earn an industry credential?

Idaho's economy has been resilient, despite government intervention due to COVID. Last year, I said if the government shut down the economy, it had an obligation to help open it back up.

We should not hamper companies trying to create apprenticeship programs for the types of jobs they need. We should help industry by freeing them to develop high-quality, high-paying jobs for the future.

We should give jobseekers more opportunities to grow and succeed, not with Federal boundaries, but only by the limits of their imaginations.

It is for these reasons I vote ``no'' on H.R. 447.

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