Washington, D.C. (June 25, 2019) – Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – made the following statement today in response to the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issuance of a proposed rule under the National Apprenticeship Act to establish a process for the recognition of Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAPs):

LIUNA commends the Administration’s leadership on expanding apprenticeships and the continued exemption of the construction industry from IRAPs.

 

LIUNA along with the Building Trades Unions and our industry partners invest a combined $1.6 billion annually - without taxpayer dollars - to train thousands of men and women at 1,600 registered training facilities across the nation. These registered apprenticeships have helped millions of Americans start careers in construction through rigorous training programs that ensure workers are skilled and safe on the job. IRAPs would be redundant in an industry that has already built such a successful system to meet workforce needs and help so many workers build a pathway to the middle-class.

 

LIUNA looks forward to participating in the comment period on the proposed rule and working with the Administration on a permanent exclusion of the construction industry from IRAPs.

 

Together we can invest in our nation’s workforce and help more Americans achieve prosperity and a chance at middle-class lives.

 

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The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers’ International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America.