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Republican attorneys are taking aim at U.S. President Joe Biden's proposed diversity rules for apprenticeship programs.

Previously, the U.S. Department of Labor claimed that its proposed National Apprenticeship System rules rewrite would diversify and modernize on-the-job-training programs.

Biden's Diversity Policies for Apprenticeship Programs

There's no denying that the Biden Administration's National Apprenticeship System rules rewrite is beneficial.

However, ABC News stated that it has become the latest example of political divisions over perceived opportunity and fairness in workplaces and educational institutions.

Right now, U.S. President Joe Biden and numerous Democratic-led states are making drastic efforts to ensure diversity, inclusion, and equity.

Unfortunately, many Republican elected leaders are doing the opposite by seeking to eliminate their initiatives.

"We should not let race-obsessed ideology interfere with an important and successful apprenticeship program," Tennessee Attorney-General Jonathan Skrmetti.

The GOP attorney general shared his remarks on behalf of 24 states that opposed the Biden Administration's diversity policies for apprenticeship programs proposal.

Why GOP Attorneys Oppose Biden's Diversity Rules for Apprenticeship Programs?

According to KOB 4, the Biden Admin's diversity rules for apprenticeship programs are opposed due to various reasons.

These include driving up business costs, decreasing participation, and reducing business flexibility.

Ben Brubeck, the VP of regulatory, labor, and state affairs for Associated Builders and Contractors, also opposed the National Apprenticeship System rules rewrite.

"It's going to discourage apprentices from enrolling in these programs," he said.

According to statistics from the Labor Department, over 640,000 individuals are currently enrolled in registered apprenticeship programs that have been approved by either the U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency.

The programs offer valuable opportunities for people to gain practical experience and knowledge in a wide range of industries, including construction, public administration, education, and manufacturing.

According to data from the Labor Department, the majority of participants are male, accounting for nearly 85%, while approximately 60% are white.

The proposed rule would mandate that apprenticeship program sponsors develop strategies to attract, employ, and retain individuals from marginalized communities.

The proposal aims to broaden the definition of inclusion by encompassing individuals from diverse backgrounds, including women, people of color, those with disabilities, military veterans, individuals with specific religious beliefs, and the LGBTQ+ community.