Secretary Labor Chavez-DeRemer: Apprenticeships, Skilled Trades, Workforce Crisis

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1:00Hello, I'm Mortimer and welcome to this episode of the Secretary of Labor podcast where we dive into the latest headlines and buzz surrounding the top job at the U.S. Department of Labor. Today, we're talking about current secretary Lori Chavez-Deremer, the Oregon Republican serving in President Trump's administration. First up, some troubling news from Politico reported on March 19th. A key security staffer for Chavez-Deremer resigned amid an Inspector General probe into alleged misconduct. That's on top of her chief of staff, Gihun Haan and deputy chief of staff, Rebecca Wright, resigning earlier this month after being placed on leave. Advanced team director Melissa Roby remains on leave. DoL employees have accused the team of drinking on the job, violating travel laws, bullying and meddling in grant decisions. Investigators haven't interviewed the departed aides, which could limit the probe. Though Politico notes, no wrongdoing is proven yet.

2:03Social media is buzzing with frustration, some calling it a toxic culture at DoL, while others defended as typical DC drama. Shifting to brighter headlines, WKZOM-slash-FM and WWMT covered Chavez-Deremer's visit to pro-Services Academy in Portage Michigan on Monday. She toured the skilled trades training spot with Congressman Bill Huizenga pushing apprenticeships. One million active apprentices was Trump's first executive order priority, she said, aiming to grow the economic pie for workers and businesses. With Bureau of Labor Statistics projecting over a million skilled trade vacancies by 2030, in construction, each vac, welding and more, Chavez-Deremer stressed private sector leadership, making America skilled again, she quipped. Grads like instructor Joe Rayleigh, who switched from EMT to trades, now earned big, with some hitting 150 to $180,000 yearly.

3:04She even noted, AI will evolve trades, creating fresh opportunities. Online, folks cheer this focus amid workforce worries. Meanwhile, the National Governors Association's Winter 2026 Workforce Institute highlighted DOL's bold push for their March report. Deputy Assistant Secretary Merrick Loco urged states to integrate programs like YOA, SNAP work requirements, and new workforce Pell grants. Apprenticeships get pay per apprentice incentives, and AI literacy is key as entry-level jobs vanish. House Dems per news from the states slammed DOL guidance on jobs programs as unprecedented overreach. Auditri's Beltway Buzz noted a joint employer rule proposal advancing March 16th. Drama aside, Chavez-Deremer is steering DOL through scandals, skills gaps, and AI shifts. What's next? Stay tuned. Thanks for listening to the Secretary of Labor podcast, and please subscribe.

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