President Donald Trump signed an executive order that will allow industries to build innovative workforce development systems that address glaring skills gaps. With the construction industry currently facing a workforce shortage of as many as 500,000 jobs, Associated Builders and Contractors says this action is an important first step to allow more entryways into becoming a construction professional. Full implementation of Executive Order 13801 will require further rulemaking.

In other training news, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to reauthorize the Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) Act, which allocates money to secondary and postsecondary schools for training programs that meet local labor needs. The measure has yet to pass the Senate.

Additionally, Reps. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) and Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-Ill.) introduced legislation to provide more access to CTE programs and ensure they are aligned with in-demand jobs, including construction. The bill awaits further action in the House.