American competitiveness necessitates merit first

President Donald Trump signed an executive order last week to modernize the American workforce and prepare Americans for high-paying skilled trade jobs. He directed the Secretaries of Labor, Education, and Commerce to review and overhaul federal workforce programs to better prepare Americans for the jobs our economy needs.

This executive action couldn’t come soon enough. The United States urgently needs to rebuild its workforce to ensure our country remains globally competitive. By modernizing training efforts, expanding apprenticeships, and aligning education with the needs of high-growth industries, hundreds of thousands of Americans each year will be better prepared for high-paying, skilled careers.