Trump’s Goal: One Million Apprentices to Rebuild America’s Skilled Workforce

The United States faces a severe shortage of skilled workers, particularly in construction and manufacturing. In 2026 alone, the construction industry is expected to face a shortage of about 349,000 workers. Federal data has also pointed to a shortage of 447,000 construction workers in recent years, and the gap is projected to grow as older workers retire and demand for infrastructure and manufacturing expands.

To address the problem, President Donald Trump has set an ambitious goal of reaching one million active apprentices across the country. The initiative is part of a broader strategy to rebuild America’s skilled workforce and prepare workers for high paying careers in fields such as construction, manufacturing, artificial intelligence, defense, and energy.

Industry leaders say the strategy targets one of the most urgent challenges facing the American economy. Among the strongest supporters is the Associated Builders and Contractors, which represents construction companies nationwide.

ABC Backs the Apprenticeship Push

The Associated Builders and Contractors recently voiced strong support for the Trump administration’s efforts to modernize and expand Registered Apprenticeship Programs.

Kristen Swearingen, ABC’s vice president of government affairs, praised new guidance issued by the U.S. Department of Labor designed to improve the way apprenticeship programs operate.

“ABC strongly supports the DOL’s bold new approach to addressing longstanding concerns with registered apprenticeship programs by improving flexibility for program sponsors and employers, as well as addressing state policies that impair worker access to these high quality training programs,” Swearingen said.

ABC leaders say the reforms respond directly to concerns raised by employers who have struggled with complex regulations that made it harder to launch or expand apprenticeship programs.

“These policies align with our consistent advocacy for simplification of unnecessarily burdensome apprenticeship regulations,” Swearingen said, thanking the department for taking steps to implement the organization’s recommendations.

ABC chapters already play a major role in workforce training. Across the country, they offer more than 450 registered apprenticeship programs covering more than 20 occupations.

The Labor Shortage Driving the Initiative

The push for apprenticeships comes as companies across the United States struggle to find skilled workers. The shortage is especially visible in manufacturing and construction.

At Virco Manufacturing in Arkansas, managers say hiring skilled workers has become one of the company’s biggest challenges. The factory produces desks, cabinets, and other equipment used in schools, combining traditional manufacturing with advanced technology.

“We’re really behind the eight ball,” said Steve Presley, vice president and general manager at the company.

The workforce is aging, and many experienced employees are retiring. Presley said the company had already lost the equivalent of 250 years of experience through retirements since the start of the year.

Apprenticeships offer a way to rebuild that experience by allowing workers to earn wages while learning technical skills on the job under experienced mentors.

Labor Department Reforms to Expand Apprenticeships

The U.S. Department of Labor has introduced new guidance designed to make apprenticeship programs easier to create and expand.

The department issued four new guidance documents that clarify how programs should be designed, explain the role of state apprenticeship agencies, and establish clearer standards for measuring completion rates. Officials say the changes will bring greater consistency and transparency to the apprenticeship system.

The Office of Apprenticeship has also committed to making program registration decisions within 30 days. The faster timeline is intended to eliminate delays that previously slowed the creation of new apprenticeship programs.

Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer said the reforms are designed to remove barriers that have prevented apprenticeships from expanding fast enough to meet workforce needs.

“We’re removing the administrative roadblocks that have prevented Registered Apprenticeship from scaling to meet demand,” Chavez-DeRemer said. “Faster decisions, clearer standards, and greater flexibility will enable employers across all industries to launch high quality Registered Apprenticeship programs and help more Americans access high paying careers.”

The department also launched a new online portal that provides information about apprenticeship completion rates and registration timelines, adding transparency to the national apprenticeship system.

Funding to Grow the Apprenticeship System

Along with regulatory reforms, the federal government is investing new funding to encourage employers to expand apprenticeship programs.

The Department of Labor recently announced a funding opportunity of up to $145 million through its Pay for Performance Incentive Payments Program. The initiative will support organizations that develop new apprenticeship programs or expand existing ones.

The program focuses on key industries including artificial intelligence, semiconductor manufacturing, nuclear energy, shipbuilding, information technology, transportation, telecommunications, and health care.

The funding builds on other initiatives aimed at strengthening workforce training, including a $35.8 million program designed to expand apprenticeships in advanced manufacturing.

Supporters say these programs will help encourage companies to invest in workforce development and train workers for high demand jobs.

Building the Skilled Workforce America Needs

The Trump administration’s apprenticeship strategy is part of a broader effort to modernize workforce development and refocus training programs on practical skills.

Federal officials note that the government spends hundreds of billions of dollars each year on higher education while many employers struggle to find workers with the skills they need.

By expanding apprenticeships, the administration hopes to create a direct pathway into skilled trades and advanced technical careers.

For organizations like the Associated Builders and Contractors, the strategy addresses a critical need.

“Continuing to make improvements to the RAP system will be critical to achieving President Donald Trump’s ambitious and timely goal of achieving 1 million new active apprentices,” Swearingen said.

With construction projects expanding, manufacturing returning to the United States, and new technologies emerging, industry leaders say rebuilding the nation’s skilled workforce may depend on training a new generation of workers who learn by doing.