Trump Signs Executive Order on Workforce Development

July 23, 2018

President Trump last week signed an Executive Order (EO) on Workforce Development, seeking to close the “skills gap” and properly train American workers for the current job market.

The EO notes that there are currently 6.7 million unfilled jobs in country, in large part because the workers seeking employment do have the appropriate skill sets for the positions.

“We’re asking businesses and organizations across the country to sign our new pledge to America’s workers,” Trump said at the event announcing the EO. “Today, 23 companies and associations are pledging to expand apprenticeships … for on-the-job training and vocational education.”

FedEx, Home Depot, Lockheed Martin, General Motors, and Wal-Mart have all already signed on to the initiative, pledging to train employees and create new employment opportunities.

The EO, in part, directs the creation of the National Council for the American Worker (NCAW) comprised of the Secretaries of Treasury, Education, and Veterans Affairs, as well as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration.

The NCAW, in consultation with the private sector, is to meet at least quarterly and develop a national strategy to empower American workers and make formal recommendations within 180 days on how the federal government can most effectively assist employers, educational institutions, trade associations and others to train workers.

The NCAW will be supported by the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board that will be comprised of up to 25 individuals from outside the government appointed by the president.

“By recognizing the full breadth of the ‘skills gap’ challenge and the cost to U.S. workers, the president has helped the nation take strong and positive steps. By leveraging insights from government, industry, and academia, we will find new ways to modernize our nation’s education and job-training system,” said Lockheed Martin CEO Marillyn Hewson.