On the recordFebruary 5, 2021
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of the amendment offered by Representative Stefanik, a distinguished member of the Education and Labor Committee. Modernizing the apprenticeship system in this country is more important now than ever, as millions are in need of reskilling. This amendment would drastically improve the Registered Apprenticeship Program while also permitting DOL to pursue models of work-based learning outside the registered system, such as Industry- Recognized Apprenticeship Programs. The exclusion of this amendment would stop this innovative progress and scrap the 131 IRAPs that have already been recognized, the vast majority of which are for nursing credentials. Unlike the Democrats' narrow-minded bill, Representative Stefanik's amendment recognizes the needs of students, workers, and job creators. Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support this commonsense alternative.
