Burr Questions Labor Department for Abandoning Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs

Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), sent a letter to U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh questioning the agency’s rule rescinding recognition of Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs).

In his letter, Senator Burr emphasized the valuable training IRAPs provide workers and called out the Administration for attempting to limit workplace opportunity for many Americans.

“It makes no sense for the federal government to impede industry training workers with skills that are actually relevant to industry,” Senator Burr wrote. “I am disappointed DOL has taken away choices and limited high-quality training opportunities for American workers.”

The letter continues, “By eliminating IRAPs, DOL is creating an unnecessary obstacle for workers to have access to these additional high-quality training opportunities.”

“The Biden Administration’s criticisms of the IRAP program includes a false narrative that safety and health protections, progressive wages, and equal employment opportunity are not inherent in an IRAP,” Senator Burr noted. “None of these concerns are legitimate.”

You can read the complete letter here.