Press Releases

Today, Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-MI) issued the following statement on a Government Accountability Office (GAO) report outlining the benefits of apprenticeship programs and how the federal government can get out of the way so more job creators can participate, making apprenticeship programs more successful for students and workers:

“Our workforce is at a dire turning point right now, college tuition is skyrocketing at alarming rates, and degrees often leave graduates without the skills needed to fill open jobs. Earn-and-learn programs offer workers and students a viable path to pursue the American Dream on their own terms. 

“As this report highlights, there are unfortunately obstacles preventing more job creators from participating in apprenticeship programs. Committee Republicans are committed to equipping more jobseekers with the skills needed in the modern economy and this includes expanding training options.”

Background: 

Today, GAO released its report, “Apprenticeship: Earn-and-Learn Opportunities Can Benefit Workers and Employers.” The report shows that those who participate in Registered Apprenticeship Programs (RAPs) are likely to earn higher post-completion wages than those in an associate’s program, incur less debt than technical education students, and benefit from industry-connected skills education.

The report also identified 26 federal programs that could support RAPs and other earn and learn opportunities. Some other areas for improving these programs include: 

• Awareness gaps of RAPs
• Societal pressure to pursue a college degree
• Employer costs
• Administrative burdens for employers 

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