U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao on Importance of Wor

OPA News Release: U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Addresses 37th General Convention of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Union

"A clear trend is emerging in our workforce. The majority of new jobs being created require higher skills and more educational attainment than before," said Secretary Chao. "Some of the strongest demand is for workers with specialized training in the skilled trades like the UA provides in its apprenticeship program.

"The UA is placing its bet on the future by investing over $120 million a year to train approximately 100,000 apprentices and journeymen in over 400 local training facilities at any given time.

As they say in Las Vegas, that's a safe bet," said Secretary Chao. "Our country is experiencing a skills gap — the growing mismatch between the skills required for the new jobs being created and the skills of our workforce. That's why the Department of Labor invests the largest part of its budget in apprenticeship and other training programs."