Metalcasters applauded today when President Trump signed an executive order promoting a training program for workers. The executive order also establishes the National Council for the American Worker, and an additional outside advisory board, as well as a “Pledge to America’s Workers” from American business.
The program’s goal is to help American companies shrink the workforce skills gap. The Executive Order complements many workforce initiatives undertaken by many AFS members – on-the-job training, apprenticeships.
Earlier, on June 26, AFS and hundreds of manufacturing companies and organizations called on the Senate to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. The act promotes improvements to the federal system of support for career and technical education, including vocational programs and technical training. The House unanimously reauthorized the act in 2017. AFS is strongly urging the Senate to make Perkins Act reauthorization a top priority.
AFS also advocated for solutions to shrinking the workforce skills shortage earlier this year at the Government Affairs Fly-In. Metalcasting industry representatives personally communicated the impact of this problem in meetings at 100 congressional offices.
Today’s pledge commits employers to expanding apprenticeships and increasing on-the-job training to help Americans, from high schools to retirees, secure stable jobs and careers in the modern economy.
President Trump signed the order in the East Room surrounded by executives from IBM, FedEx, Lockheed Martin, and other corporations.
AFS is optimistic the “Pledge to America’s Workers” and the reauthorization of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act will help close the skills gap faced by so many U.S. manufacturers.
View the AFS Advocacy video here.