Press Releases

Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) released the following statement on the House passage of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 to expand access to Registered Apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships and create nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years:

“Countless New Mexicans have lost their jobs due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 will help create nearly 1 million new apprenticeships and provide new opportunities for New Mexicans to rejoin the workforce with high paying jobs.  We must do everything we can to help New Mexico communities thrive.” said Congresswoman Leger Fernández.

“The New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO supports efforts to maintain and strengthen union apprenticeship programs across the Nation and here in New Mexico. Programs like these provide a path in which skilled trades persons have access to top notch training, job opportunities, wages, and benefits. When apprenticeship programs are supported, communities are supported.” said Vince Alvarado, President, New Mexico Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO

BACKGROUND:

The Registered Apprenticeship (RAs) system is America’s most successful federally authorized workforce development program, 94 percent of people who complete RAs are employed upon completion and earn an average starting wage of more than $70,000 annually.

The National Apprenticeship Act would:

• Authorizes $400 million for fiscal year (FY) 2022, increasing by $100 million annually to $800 million for FY 2026, to support the creation or expansion of registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs and to encourage employer participation and recruitment of individuals with barriers to employment.
• Codify and streamline standards for registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs, including requirements to ensure consistency in quality standards and worker protections.
• Ensure that all individuals have an equal opportunity to participate in programs under the national apprenticeship system, and to increase diversity in the occupations offered and the individuals participating in programs, especially in high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand industry sectors and occupations.
• Strengthen the connections between the Department of Education and Department of Labor to support the creation and expansion of youth apprenticeships, college consortiums, and data sharing agreements.