Lori Chavez-DeRemer, U.S. Secretary of Labor, spent the last year running one of Washington’s quieter agencies. She recently gave a recap of the agency’s efforts to improve the skilled trades workforce, while also delving into efforts to uncover fraud.
“When people ask if this job is hard, I say not if you use the right lens: every decision must be made through the eyes of the American men and women who built this country. That’s it,” Chavez-DeRemer said of her eventful first year as secretary of labor during an interview with the hosts of the Ruthless Podcast.
For HVAC pros, DeRemer’s focus at the Department of Labor is to protect both workers and the businesses that employ them. Chavez-DeRemer didn’t shy away from tough topics either, revealing the Department’s ongoing battle with fraud in programs like unemployment insurance.
“We’ve recovered $1.4 billion for the Treasury by rooting out fraudulent activity – just from taking a little peek under the covers,” she said, referencing a recent probe in Oregon and an imminent probe in Minnesota, where federal regulators have uncovered other high-profile fraud. She said these efforts matter: every dollar lost to fraud is a dollar that could’ve helped an out-of-work installer, tech, or small business owner bridge a tough patch.
The Secretary also highlighted fraud in the H-1B visa system, which can put downward pressure on wages for American tradespeople. Chavez-DeRemer promised, “If you’re going to use cheap foreign labor to displace an American worker, we’re not going to allow that … Common sense says protect the American worker first.”
Reviving Respect for Skilled Trades
One of Chavez-DeRemer’s strongest messages is the resurrection of pride – and real opportunity – in America’s skilled trades. With 700,000 open jobs for electricians, machinists, and plumbers, the Department of Labor is doubling down on apprenticeships. Chavez-DeRemer said, “We’ve registered 290,000 new apprenticeships since January. Private companies now see why it pays to train up American talent.” For HVAC companies struggling to find and keep good techs, this is welcome news. Trade careers are getting fresh investment, plus a cultural boost from a Secretary who herself grew up in a Teamster family and knows that “blue-collar men and women should be proud to build with their hands.”
What’s new and different? Under Chavez-DeRemer, the Department of Labor has launched an aggressive expansion of apprenticeship opportunities nationwide. This summer, $84 million in new grants went out to every state and US territory – money dedicated to standing up new programs, modernizing training, recruiting apprentices, and plugging skills gaps in fields like HVAC, electrical, and high-tech manufacturing. The goal: hit 1 million active apprentices and build a workforce pipeline that lasts decades, according to the US Department of Labor.
There’s also focus on equity: Chavez-DeRemer greenlit $5 million in WANTO (Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations) grants, clearing a path for women to join high-wage, high-demand fields typically closed off to them – including HVAC and construction, according to the DOL. She’s been out in the field, touring sites like Micron in Idaho for the first machinist apprenticeship graduations and signing partnership agreements with states like Alabama and Colorado to speed up program launches and employer participation.
Prepping for the Future: AI and Workforce Development
Looking ahead, Chavez-DeRemer addressed the impact of generative AI and new technologies. “AI is here to stay, and the President has said, ‘we’re going to win this AI race,’” she remarked, stressing the need for “AI literacy” among tomorrow’s workforce. For HVAC professionals, this means more support for training, upskilling, and adopting tech that puts American businesses out front with smarter tools and safer worksites.
Labor and industry groups are watching the Department of Labor’s push to expand apprenticeship programs. North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) recently stated, “Secretary Chavez-DeRemer has consistently supported the building trades and our gold-standard Registered Apprenticeship model. We are encouraged by her leadership and look forward to working together on strengthening apprenticeship pathways,”
Nonprofit organizations, including Oregon Tradeswomen, have welcomed the ongoing federal commitment to WANTO grants –
$5 million awarded in 2025 – to open more doors for women in skilled trades (U.S. Department of Labor).
Industry groups such as the Associated General Contractors of America note that while new federal investment in apprenticeship is important, “it will only be effective if it connects with the needs of employers at the local level.” Community leaders in states like Idaho, meanwhile, point to high-level DOL outreach as a positive sign for local workforce development and employer engagement.
These external voices underline the wide attention – and some healthy skepticism – surrounding the Labor Department’s apprenticeship revival under Chavez-DeRemer, reinforcing that federal policy is only the first step. Delivery at the job site, across big and small employers, will be what counts in the months ahead.
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