DOL Issues Apprenticeship Guidance

 

Washington Update​

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March 16, 2026

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Department of Labor
 

On Monday, March 9, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) Employment and Training Administration (ETA) released guidance on the Registered Apprenticeship system that intends to make programs more flexible and attractive to employers. The DOL ETA said it is committed to responding to applications for new apprenticeship programs within 30 days and will provide greater transparency around registration timelines through a public website that tracks processing performance.

 

The guidance aims to reduce administrative burdens and provide clearer direction for apprenticeship sponsors designing programs that meet workforce needs. It encourages the use of competency-based, time-based, or hybrid program structures — reflecting a broader shift toward more flexible training models. Additional ETA guidance clarifies the roles of state apprenticeship agencies and councils and outlines how apprenticeship program completion rates are determined and reported. ETA also launched an online portal that publishes completion-rate data and other performance information.

 

Additionally, the Department is preparing a pilot “pay for performance” grant program intended to direct funding toward apprenticeship programs that demonstrate strong outcomes. The Administration has set a goal of reaching 1 million active apprentices nationwide. As of FY25, there were slightly more than 700,000 active apprentices.

 

Some apprenticeship advocates support efforts to increase employer participation and streamline program approvals but have raised concerns that reducing minimum training thresholds could affect program stands. The changes come as some stakeholders call for broader updates to the National Apprenticeship Act to modernize the system.

 

Click here to access the full press release.
 

Economy of the Future Commission Act
 

On Wednesday, March 11, Senators Mark Warner (VA) and Mike Rounds (SD) introduced the bipartisan legislation, Economy of the Future Commission Act, which aims to help American workers adapt to the rapid economic and workforce changes driven by artificial intelligence (AI). The bill establishes a commission to provide lawmakers with recommendations on workforce training, reskilling, and strategies to maintain U.S. competitiveness in an AI-driven economy. 

 

The commission would include bipartisan members of Congress and experts from industry, academia, and government agencies focused on education, labor, commerce, and economic policy. Within seven months of enactment, the bill would issue an interim report outlining expected employment changes and public resources on AI with a final report due within 13 months. The final report would provide legislative recommendations on AI education, workforce training, reskilling, unemployment insurance, taxation, and strategies to maintain leadership in technology and manufacturing sectors. 

 

Click here to access the full press release and full text of the bill.

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GAO Report
 

On Wednesday, March 11, the U.S. Department of Government Accountability (GAO) released the report “Federal Student Loans: Education Needs to Address Gaps in Servicer Oversight,” which found that the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) stopped key oversight of federal student loan services in February 2025. It found that FSA halted reviews of servicer records and borrow calls, raising risks that borrowers could face incorrect repayment plans, wrong charges, or delayed refunds. GAO linked the cutbacks to staffing reductions at FSA, which fell nearly 50% in 2025. While FSA cited alternative oversight like borrower surveys, GAO said these do not ensure accurate information. 

 

Additionally, GAO agreed to review the transfer of career and technical education and adult education grant programs from the U.S. Department of Education to the U.S. Department of Labor. The review follows a request from Senators Elizabeth Warren (MA), Bernie Sanders (VT), Patty Murray (WA), and Tammy Baldwin (WI) for the investigation. GAO has not yet set a timeline for this review.

 

Click here to access the full report.

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Bipartisan Policy Center Report
 

On Wednesday, March 11, the Bipartisan Policy Center (BPC) released a report outlining a national strategy to better align education, workforce development, and economic policy as artificial intelligence and other economic shifts reshape labor market demands. The report, developed by the BPC’s Commission on the American Workforce, calls for a more coordinated federal approach to talent development and greater alignment among government agencies, employers, and education systems. 

 

A central recommendation is the creation of a federal Talent Advisory Council, modeled on cross-agency coordinating bodies such as the National Security Council, to help coordinate workforce and education initiatives across the federal government. It also proposes establishing a national Talent Data System to track learner and worker outcomes from K-12 education through employment, with the goal of improving program coordination and helping students, workers, and employers better understand career pathways and labor market needs.

 

It outlines three priorities: building a national talent strategy that supports state and local leaders, redesigning education and training systems around learner and worker needs, and strengthening benefits and supports that enable workforce participation. Recommendations include expanding pathways such as apprenticeships and short-term credentials, improving career navigation tools, strengthening the teacher workforce, and addressing barriers to work, including child care access, paid family and medical leave, and retirement coverage. 

Click here to access the full press release and report.

obs report.