On Nov. 13, ABC President and CEO Mike Bellaman participated in the first meeting of the U.S. Department of Labor’s task force on apprenticeship expansion. The task force is responsible for identifying strategies and proposals to expand and promote apprenticeship opportunities. Bellaman is one of twenty members of the task force, joining two governors and leaders from business, associations, labor and education.

“With a significant network of apprenticeship programs nationwide, ABC joins this task force with a win-win attitude,” said Bellaman in his opening remarks. “We are committed to working synergistically to identify strategies and proposals to promote, enhance and expand ‘earn while you learn’ apprenticeship models across the United States.”

The meeting took place on the first day National Apprenticeship Week, Nov. 13-19, during which ABC joined with the business community, labor groups and education leaders to highlight the tremendous job opportunities provided by apprenticeships and industry-recognized training programs. The third annual observance also emphasized the need for an infusion of Americans to pursue a skilled trade and embark on a fulfilling career.

The task force is advisory in nature, and will make recommendations to President Trump after a series of meetings. In his remarks, U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta noted that the president would like to see a proposal in, “weeks, not years.”