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EO 14119Executive OrderBiden · D Quiet signal

Executive Order 14119

Scaling and Expanding the Use of Registered Apprenticeships in Industries and the Federal Government and Promoting Labor-Management Forums

This executive order establishes a White House interagency working group to expand Registered Apprenticeship programs across federal agencies and their grant/procurement processes, while also revoking a 2017 Trump order to restore Labor-Management Forums for federal employee union collaboration. It requires agencies to review procurement and grants for apprenticeship opportunities, develop workforce plans incorporating apprenticeships, and submit implementation plans for labor-management forums within 180 days.

Federal Register Open PDF 89 FR 17265

Impact dates

  1. Agencies annual reporting to Working Group on apprenticeship-promoting programs and contracts

  2. Agencies resubmit revised plans if OPM found insufficient (30 days after OPM return)

  3. OPM review and certification determination of Labor-Management Forum plans

  4. Working Group initial report to President on apprenticeship opportunities, hiring authorities, career advancement, retention, and equity

  5. Labor-Management Forum agency heads submit written implementation plans to OPM

Key directives

  • Establish Registered Apprenticeship Interagency Working Group co-chaired by OMB Director, NEC Director, and DPC Director
  • Working Group to submit initial report to President within 180 days on apprenticeship opportunities, hiring authorities, career advancement, retention, and equity
  • Agencies shall review federal financial assistance programs and procurement plans for apprenticeship requirements, evaluation factors, or incentives
  • Agencies shall annually report to Working Group on programs and solicitations with apprenticeship terms and resulting awards
  • Agencies shall identify existing authorities supporting apprenticeship hiring and incumbent worker training
  • Agencies shall develop outreach strategies for underserved candidates
  • Agencies shall consult unions through Labor-Management Forums on apprenticeship access for current employees
  • Revoke Executive Order 13812 of September 29, 2017
  • Labor-Management Forum agencies shall establish joint labor-management committees or councils
  • Agency heads with exclusive representatives shall submit written Labor-Management Forum implementation plans to OPM within 180 days
  • OPM shall review plans within 60 days of receipt and certify or return with guidance
  • Agencies with insufficient plans shall resubmit revised plans within 30 days of OPM return

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

  • Revocation of Executive Order 13812 (2017 Labor-Management Forum revocation)
  • Establishment of Registered Apprenticeship Interagency Working Group
  • OPM and Labor Department designated as Vice Chairs of Working Group

Near term (90d)

  • Working Group to provide guidance and technical assistance to agencies
  • Agencies to begin reviewing federal financial assistance programs and procurement plans for apprenticeship inclusion

Long term

  • Annual reporting by agencies to Working Group on apprenticeship-promoting programs and contracts
  • Strategic workforce planning with expanded Registered Apprenticeship programs
  • Labor-Management Forum implementation and certification

Risks & tensions

  • Order explicitly states implementation is 'subject to the availability of appropriations,' creating funding uncertainty
  • Many directives use permissive language ('shall, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law,' 'where practicable') reducing enforceability
  • Requirement to consult unions through Labor-Management Forums may face implementation resistance in agencies with contentious labor relations
  • OPM certification process for forum plans creates bottleneck; 30-day revision window is tight if plans are rejected
  • No explicit enforcement mechanism for agency non-compliance with annual reporting or strategic workforce planning requirements
  • Potential tension between apprenticeship expansion and existing collective bargaining agreements, though order contains explicit non-abrogation clause
Executive Order 14119: Scaling and Expanding the Use of Registered Apprenticeships in Industries and the Federal Government and Promoting Labor-Management Forums · Executive Orders