U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered remarks during a hearing focused on apprenticeships and their role in addressing workforce shortages in the United States.
During his speech, Cassidy highlighted projections that indicate the U.S. could face a deficit of nearly 6 million workers over the next decade. He pointed out that high retirement rates are contributing to this shortage and noted its particular impact on sectors like health care.
Cassidy emphasized the need to modernize and expand apprenticeship programs to better equip workers with skills needed for future jobs. He cited data from the Department of Labor showing that apprentices typically earn a starting salary of $80,000, which is above the median individual income.
"Republicans and Democrats on this Committee strongly support apprenticeships. This is pro-worker, pro-business, and pro-family," Cassidy stated.
He referenced former President Trump's goal to create 1 million new active apprenticeships and mentioned a roadmap published by the Departments of Education, Labor, and Commerce outlining steps toward achieving this target. "As HELP Chairman, I am working closely with President Trump and his administration to expand apprenticeship opportunities," he said.
Cassidy also addressed challenges within the current apprenticeship system. He called for simplifying registration processes for employers and urged cooperation among federal and state governments as well as private industry to extend apprenticeships into emerging fields such as advanced technology.
"Employees and employers need more input in the design of apprenticeships, lowering costs and enhancing flexibility to choose the standards that work best. Apprenticeships should be guided by those actually on the ground, not government bureaucrats," he said.
He concluded by expressing hope that implementing these reforms would help strengthen the economy and provide more Americans with access to better career opportunities.
