The House Education and Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development held a hearing entitled, “Building an AI Ready America: Strengthening Employer-Led Training,” examining how employer-led training programs, apprenticeships, and workforce systems can prepare workers for AI-driven changes in the labor market.
During the hearing, Republicans emphasized that AI is already transforming jobs across the economy and argued that workforce programs must better align with employer demand, expand earn-and-learn models like registered apprenticeships, and prioritize skills-based hiring over traditional degree pathways. Democrats agreed that workforce development is critical but warned that the system remains underfunded and urged Congress to revive the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) reauthorization negotiated last Congress rather than pursue partisan changes, including proposals to move adult education programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Labor.
Tim House of the Wireless Infrastructure Association warned that the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure is intensifying demand for skilled workers and argued that employer-led registered apprenticeship programs are essential to building the workforce needed to deploy and maintain next-generation connectivity. Dr. Scott Ralls of Wake Technical Community College highlighted the role community colleges play in preparing workers for AI-driven industries, describing efforts to embed AI literacy across technical programs and expand apprenticeship partnerships in fields like HVAC, building automation, and electrical systems where demand is rising alongside AI and electrification.
Brent Parton of CareerWise USA emphasized that youth apprenticeships and other employer-led training models can help workers adapt to changing entry-level job requirements, arguing that apprenticeship programs should be expanded earlier in students’ education and supported through modernization of federal workforce programs. Mary Kate Morley Ryan of Accenture stressed that AI is rapidly shortening the life cycle of workplace skills and called for continuous upskilling, stronger employer-education partnerships, expanded work-based learning programs, and modernization of WIOA to reduce administrative barriers and support apprenticeship and incumbent worker training at the speed of technological change.