The viewpoint commentary, “Keep The Proposed Apprenticeship Rule Exemption As Is,” (ENR 9/2-9, p. 68) claimed that construction should remain excluded from the U.S. Dept. of Labor’s proposed rule on apprenticeship expansion because union apprenticeship programs set the bar high on quality training and earning potential. Yet educating and upskilling our workforce is a cornerstone of the merit shop construction business model. Associated Builders and Contractors members invested $1.6 billion in workforce development in 2018 alone, which translated into more than 980,000 course attendees receiving craft, leadership and safety education to advance careers.

This investment creates the conditions for thousands of apprentices, instructors, craft professionals and supervisors to develop their skills, meet and exceed their career goals and build America. These success stories are the result of innovative education methods designed specifically to create value for the construction employee, employer and client.