Workforce Rewired: Modern Apprenticeships for a Modern Economy

The House Committee on Education & Workforce held a subcommittee hearing on June 25, 2026, titled "Workforce Rewired: Modern Apprenticeships for a Modern Economy." The hearing focused on the expansion and modernization of apprenticeship programs as a critical workforce development strategy. Witnesses from industry, education, and workforce organizations discussed the benefits of apprenticeships in various sectors including skilled trades, healthcare, education, and information technology. Key procurement-related topics included the impact of federal funding cuts and grant cancellations on apprenticeship programs, the need for sustained and increased investment, and the importance of maintaining high-quality standards through registered apprenticeship programs. The panel emphasized bipartisan support for apprenticeships, the role of innovative models such as degree apprenticeships, and the use of technology to scale training. Members also discussed policy concerns about recent Department of Labor guidance potentially weakening apprenticeship standards and the need for durable federal funding and incentives to reach goals like one million apprentices by 2030. The hearing concluded with calls for continued collaboration among government, industry, and education to build a skilled workforce for the modern economy.