2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Require
Apprenticeship Program Applicants To Be A Part Of An Industry
Partnership Or Partner With A Labor Or Joint Labor Management Group,
Instead Of Having To Do Both. In February 2021, Fitzpatrick voted
against an amendment to the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 which
would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "modify an eligibility
requirement for Labor Department apprenticeship program grants to
require applicants, to the extent practical, to be part of an industry
or sector partnership or to partner with a labor or joint labor
management organization, as opposed to both." The vote was on the
adoption of an amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of
186-236. [House Vote 29,
2/5/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/5/21;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
8;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
447]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For An Amendment To The National
Apprenticeship Act Of 2020 That Would Require Eligible Entities To Form
Partnerships With Labor Or Joint-Labor Organizations. In November
2020, Fitzpatrick voted for an amendment to the National Apprenticeship
Act that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "require eligible
entities for the Labor Department apprenticeship grant program to
partner with a labor or joint labor-management organization, to the
extent practicable." The vote was on adoption. The House adopted the
amendment by a vote of 236-152. [House Vote 225,
11/20/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/20/20;
Congressional Actions, H.Amdt.
901;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8294]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted For Reauthorizing And Expanding Programs Under
The National Apprenticeship System With $3.9 Billion For Grants And
Program Administration. In February 2021, Fitzpatrick voted for the
National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 which would, according to
Congressional Quarterly, "reauthorize and expand programs and activities
under the Labor Department national apprenticeship system, authorizing a
total of $3.9 billion for program administration and grants to
apprenticeship programs." The vote was on passage. The House passed the
bill by a vote of 247-173. The Senate did not take substantive action on
the bill. [House Vote 31,
2/5/21; Congressional
Quarterly, 2/5/21;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
447]
Republicans Claimed The National Apprenticeship Act Of 2021 "Was
Not Innovative Enough" And Called For The Expansion Of The
Traditional System. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"Republicans said the bill was not innovative enough, urging
expansion of the national apprenticeship program beyond the
traditional registered apprenticeship system, while Democrats
suggested the traditional program's success precluded a need for
sweeping changes, particularly during an economic crisis."
[Congressional Quarterly,
2/2/21]
The Bill Would Codify Apprenticeship Program Guidelines And
Include Pre-Apprenticeship And Youth Apprenticeship Programs.
According to Congressional Quarterly, "largely codify apprenticeship
program standards and expand the system to include
pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship programs."
[Congressional Quarterly,
2/5/21]
The Bill Would Provide $350 Million Through FY 2026 To Establish
An Office Of The National Apprenticeship Program, Program Research
And Evaluation And An Apprenticeship Advisory Committee. According
to Congressional Quarterly, "authorize a total of $350 million
through fiscal 2026 for the formal establishment of a Labor
Department office of apprenticeship to oversee the national
apprenticeship system, as well as for program research and
evaluation and the establishment of an apprenticeship advisory
committee." [Congressional Quarterly,
2/5/21]
The Bill Would Provide $70 Million Through FY 2026 To The Labor
Department To Work With The Education Department To Integrate The
System With Educational Institutions, $475 Million Through FY 2026
For State Apprenticeship Agencies, And $3 Billion Through FY 2026
For Grants And Program Expansion. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "authorize a total of $70 million for the Labor
Department to carry out an agreement with the Education Department
to support integration and alignment of the national apprenticeship
system with the education system; $475 million for state
apprenticeship agencies; and $3 billion for grants and agreements
to support apprenticeship programs, including to expand programs in
nontraditional apprenticeship industries and high-need social
service industries and programs targeting individuals with barriers
to employment." [Congressional Quarterly,
2/5/21]
The Bill Would Require A 25% Match Of Federal Funds By State
Apprenticeship Agencies And Grant Recipients. According to
Congressional Quarterly, "require state apprenticeship agencies and
grant recipients to match 25% of federal funds received."
[Congressional Quarterly,
2/5/21]
The Bill Would Establish Quality Standards, Registration
Requirements, Planning And Implementation Requirements For States,
And Eligible Occupations. According to Congressional Quarterly,
"establish a number of apprenticeship program quality standards;
requirements for registration, planning and implementation of
programs by states; and requirements for occupations to be approved
as 'apprenticeable occupations' within the national apprenticeship
system." [Congressional Quarterly,
2/5/21]
The Bill Would Require The National Office Of Apprenticeship To
Supervise The Program's Standards, Provide Tech Assistance, And
Promote Diversity In The Program. According to Congressional
Quarterly, "require the national office of apprenticeship to oversee
such standards; establish and provide technical assistance to state
offices of apprenticeship; and promote diversity within the system
through recruitment, employment and retention of nontraditional
apprenticeship participants, industries and occupations."
[Congressional Quarterly,
2/5/21]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted For The Reauthorization And Expansion Of The
National Apprenticeship System, Approving $3.9 Billion For
Administration And Grants. In November 2020, Fitzpatrick voted for
National Apprenticeship Act that would, according to Congressional
Quarterly, "reauthorize and expand programs and activities under the
Labor Department national apprenticeship system, authorizing a total of
$3.9 billion for program administration and grants to apprenticeship
programs. It would largely codify apprenticeship program standards and
expand the system to include pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship
programs. It would authorize a total of $350 million through fiscal
2025 for the formal establishment of a Labor Department office of
apprenticeship to oversee the national apprenticeship system, as well as
for program research and evaluation and the establishment of an
apprenticeship advisory committee. Through fiscal 2025, it would
authorize a total of $70 million for the Labor Department to carry out
an agreement with the Education Department to support integration and
alignment of the national apprenticeship system with the education
system; $475 million for state apprenticeship agencies; and $3 billion
for grants and agreements to support apprenticeship programs, including
to expand programs in nontraditional apprenticeship industries and
high-need social service industries and programs targeting individuals
with barriers to employment. It would require state apprenticeship
agencies and grant recipients to match 25% of federal funds received. It
would establish a number of apprenticeship program quality standards;
requirements for registration, planning and implementation of programs
by states; and requirements for occupations to be approved as
'apprenticeable occupations' within the national apprenticeship system.
It would require the national office of apprenticeship to oversee such
standards; establish and provide technical assistance to state offices
of apprenticeship; and promote diversity within the system through
recruitment, employment and retention of nontraditional apprenticeship
participants, industries and occupations." The vote was on passage. The
House passed the bill by a vote of 246-140. The Senate did not take
substantive action on the bill. [House Vote 227,
11/20/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/20/20;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8294]
The National Apprenticeship Act Of 2020 Was Projected To Create
Approximately A Million New Apprenticeship Opportunities.
According to SHRM, "This legislation is projected to create nearly
one million new apprenticeship opportunities over the next five
years in addition to the normal, expected growth of the programs."
[SHRM,
11/30/20]
Many Republicans Opposed The National Apprenticeship Act Of 2020
Due To President Trump's Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs
Being Left Out Of The Legislation. According to SHRM, "While
expanding apprenticeships has bipartisan support, the main sticking
point for Republicans opposing the legislation is the rejection of
funding for President Donald Trump's Industry-Recognized
Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs). The IRAP system was established
this year to exist alongside the DOL-regulated system. The model is
meant to encourage industries to participate in work-based learning
programs by turning over recognition and oversight of the programs
to third parties, such as businesses, trade groups, nonprofits and
unions." [SHRM,
11/30/20]
Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs Were Not Included In
Legislation Due To Lack Of Government Oversight May Lead To Fewer
Worker Protections And Would Reduce Funding For Registered
Programs. According to SHRM, "critics of the IRAPs contend that
replacing government oversight with industry-run accreditation will
lead to fewer worker protections [...] The bill does not mention
the IRAP model, and House Democrats say they have no intention of
funding the new system because doing so would take money away from
registered programs." [SHRM,
11/30/20]
2020: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment To The National
Apprenticeship Act Of 2020 That Would Remove Certain Federal Oversight
Requirements And Certain Funding Requirements, And Would Eliminate The
Establishment Requirement Of A Labor Department Advisory Committee On
Apprenticeships And An Interagency Agreement. In November 2020,
Fitzpatrick voted against an amendment to the National Apprenticeship
Act that would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "replace the text
of the bill to make a number of changes. Among other provisions, it
would authorize all programs at lower amounts; modify requirements
related to state planning of apprenticeship programs, including to
eliminate certain requirements for federal oversight and requirements
that funding be used for alignment with state workforce and education
activities; and strike requirements for establishment of a Labor
Department advisory committee on apprenticeships and an interagency
agreement with the Education Department to support the integration of
apprenticeship and educational programs." The vote was on adoption. The
House rejected the amendment by a vote of 142-243. [House Vote 226,
11/20/20; Congressional
Quarterly, 11/20/20;
Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.902;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
8294]
2021: Fitzpatrick Voted Against An Amendment That Would Authorize
Extra Work-Based Learning Programs, Remove A Labor Department Advisory
Committee On Apprenticeships, Remove An Interagency Collaboration To
Integrate The Apprenticeship Program With Educational Institutions, And
Increase State Plan Process Flexibility. In February 2021, Fitzpatrick
voted against a substitute amendment to the National Apprenticeship Act
of 2021 which would, according to Congressional Quarterly, "replace the
text of the bill to add or modify a number of provisions. Among other
provisions, it would authorize additional work-based learning programs,
strike the establishment of a Labor Department advisory committee on
apprenticeships, and strike an interagency agreement with the Education
Department to 'promote and support' the integration and alignment of
national apprenticeship system programs with educational institutions.
It would also increase 'flexibility' for the state plan process related
to how the national apprenticeship system aligns with state workforce
and education activities." The vote was on the adoption of a substitute
amendment. The House rejected the amendment by a vote of 175-245.
[House Vote 30, 2/5/21;
Congressional Quarterly,
2/5/21; Congressional Actions,
H.Amdt.
9;
Congressional Actions, H.R.
447]