Biden repeals Trump executive order that promoted industry-led apprenticeship programs

Trump order sought to bring "relevant skills and high-paying jobs" to workers via apprentice programs.
Joe Biden, Feb. 19

Joe Biden repealed a Trump-era executive order this week that sought to reduce federal oversight of apprenticeship programs and allow more industry groups to develop the programs themselves. 

President Trump signed an order in 2017 that sought to "expand apprenticeships in America." The expansion of those programs, Trump claimed, would "[help] more Americans to obtain relevant skills and high-paying jobs," with the president arguing that "federally funded education and workforce development programs are not effectively serving American workers."

Trump's order directed the Secretary of Labor to "consider proposing regulations ... that promote the development of apprenticeship programs by third parties," which "may include trade and industry groups, companies, non-profit organizations, unions, and joint labor-management organizations."

Biden this week issued a repeal of that order, directing federal agencies to "rescind any orders, rules, regulations, guidelines, or policies, or portions thereof, implementing or enforcing" Trump's order. 

"In addition," Biden wrote, "any personnel positions, committees, task forces, or other entities established pursuant to [Trump's order] shall be abolished, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law."