Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future

4/23/2025

Executive Orders

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Action Summary

Purpose: Maximize historic investments in America’s reindustrialization by equipping workers with skills to produce world-class products and implement leading technologies, while streamlining fragmented Federal workforce programs.
Policy: Optimize and target Federal workforce development investments to meet reindustrialization needs; protect and expand Registered Apprenticeships.
Comprehensive Worker Investment and Development Strategy:
- System Integration: Identify opportunities to integrate systems, realign resources, and implement administrative and process improvements across Federal workforce programs.
- Program Evaluation: Review and reform or eliminate ineffective workforce and education programs, including realigning funding as needed.
- Statutory Authorities: Explore available legal authorities to promote innovation and better employment outcomes.
- Upskilling and Emerging Technologies: Invest in upskilling incumbent workers, notably incorporating the use of Artificial Intelligence in the workplace.
- Alternative Credentials: Develop strategies for alternative credentials and assessments as viable substitutes for a 4-year degree.
- Data and Performance: Streamline information collection by harmonizing performance measures and reducing administrative burdens on grantees.
Expanding Registered Apprenticeships:
- Expansion Plan: Within 120 days, develop a plan to achieve over 1 million new active apprentices across new industries and high-growth sectors.
- Efficiency and Support: Enhance the existing apprenticeship model to scale nationally with improved efficiency and consistent support.
- Educational Integration: Leverage programs like the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and Federal student aid to strengthen ties between education and apprenticeship opportunities.
Transparency and Accountability: Improve public access to performance outcomes, including earnings and employment data for Federal workforce development investments.
General Provisions: Ensure that the order:
- Does not impair existing agency authorities or functions of the Office of Management and Budget.
- Is implemented in accordance with applicable law and appropriations.
- Does not create enforceable rights or benefits against the United States.

Risks & Considerations

The Executive Order’s focus on workforce development and reindustrialization may lead to increased competition for federal funding among educational institutions, including Vanderbilt University. This could necessitate strategic adjustments in program offerings and funding applications.
There is a potential risk that the emphasis on skilled trades and alternative credentials could shift focus away from traditional four-year degree programs, impacting enrollment and funding for such programs at Vanderbilt.
The consolidation and streamlining of federal workforce programs may result in changes to existing partnerships and collaborations that Vanderbilt has with federal agencies, requiring renegotiation or adaptation to new frameworks.
Vanderbilt University may need to consider expanding its offerings in areas related to skilled trades and apprenticeships to align with national workforce development priorities and maintain its competitive edge.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering could see increased demand for programs that align with emerging industries and technologies, particularly those involving Artificial Intelligence and other high-growth sectors.
The Career Center at Vanderbilt may need to enhance its services to support students pursuing alternative credentials and apprenticeships, ensuring they are well-prepared for the evolving job market.
Peabody College of Education and Human Development might play a crucial role in researching and developing new educational models and assessments that align with the Executive Order’s goals.
The Office of Federal Relations may need to engage more actively with federal agencies to ensure Vanderbilt’s interests are represented in the restructuring of workforce development programs.

Financial Impact

The reallocation of federal funds towards workforce development and apprenticeships could impact the financial landscape for traditional higher education programs, potentially leading to reduced funding opportunities for such programs at Vanderbilt.
Vanderbilt University might experience changes in its funding strategies, particularly if federal grants prioritize skilled trades and alternative credentials. This could necessitate adjustments in grant application processes and partnerships.
There may be increased opportunities for Vanderbilt to secure funding for research and development in workforce development and educational innovation, particularly through collaborations with the Department of Labor and other federal agencies.
As the focus on skilled trades and apprenticeships grows, there could be a shift in the demographics of students applying to Vanderbilt, potentially affecting tuition revenue and financial aid distribution.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order presents moderate risks involving compliance and potential shifts in program focus.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Career Center should explore partnerships with industries and companies investing in the United States to align its career services and programs with the emerging workforce needs. This could involve developing new internship and apprenticeship opportunities for students in high-demand sectors.
The Office of the Provost should consider evaluating and potentially integrating alternative credentials and assessments into the curriculum to better align with the specific skill needs of prospective employers, thereby enhancing the employability of graduates.
Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should investigate opportunities to incorporate Artificial Intelligence and other advanced technologies into its programs to ensure students are equipped with the skills required by rapidly evolving industries.
The Office of Federal Relations should monitor developments in Federal workforce development programs and funding to identify potential opportunities for Vanderbilt to participate in or influence these initiatives.
Vanderbilt’s Peabody College should engage in research and policy analysis on the effectiveness of workforce development programs and contribute to discussions on reforming or redirecting funding for programs that do not achieve desired outcomes.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt University to expand its involvement in Registered Apprenticeships by developing partnerships with new industries and occupations, particularly in high-growth and emerging sectors.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the focus on transparency and accountability in workforce development programs by leveraging its research capabilities to analyze and report on the performance outcomes of these programs, potentially influencing policy and practice.
The emphasis on upskilling incumbent workers offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Continuing Education Programs to develop and offer courses that meet the evolving skill demands of various industries, including the integration of AI in the workplace.
By engaging with Federal initiatives to streamline information collection and harmonize performance measures, Vanderbilt can enhance its data collection and reporting processes, improving the efficiency and effectiveness of its programs.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents the potential for major process changes required for Vanderbilt’s programs due to alignment with workforce development and educational reforms.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.2

Timeline for Implementation

Within 90 days from the order date (for submission of the report on workforce development programs as outlined in Section 3).
Within 120 days from the order date (for submission of the plan to expand Registered Apprenticeships as outlined in Section 4).

The shortest timeline is 90 days, which places this directive in the 90-179 days compliance category.

Relevance Score: 2

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of Labor: Tasked with reviewing and reforming federal workforce development programs and expanding registered apprenticeships to support the growth of high-paying skilled trades.
Department of Commerce: Responsible for collaborating on the review and realignment of federal workforce investments, ensuring programs are aligned with national reindustrialization efforts and new technological demands.
Department of Education: Involved in integrating education programs with workforce development initiatives, including linking Registered Apprenticeships and potentially reforming ineffective education-related programs.
Office of Management and Budget (OMB): Charged with overseeing the performance outcomes and transparency measures of the restructured federal workforce programs, as well as reviewing proposed changes alongside other agencies.
Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy: Acts as a central reviewer for the proposed strategies and reports from the Labor, Commerce, and Education departments, ensuring alignment with the Administration’s domestic policy objectives.

Relevance Score: 2 (Between 3 and 5 federal agencies are directly impacted by this executive order.)

Responsible Officials

Secretary of Labor – Responsible for reviewing Federal workforce development programs, developing reform proposals, and expanding Registered Apprenticeships.
Secretary of Commerce – Charged with evaluating workforce programs and contributing to the strategy for upskilling American workers.
Secretary of Education – Tasked with reviewing education-related programs, particularly in improving connections between education and Registered Apprenticeships.
Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy – The recipient of the strategic report and plan, coordinating with the Office of Management and Budget for implementation.
Director of the Office of Management and Budget – Works alongside the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy in receiving and reviewing the reports and plans.

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect White House and Cabinet officials, resulting in high-level strategic implications.)