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

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Hello, 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.

Social 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.

She 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.

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