President Donald Trump signed two executive orders April 23 to strengthen America’s workforce for the future economy, focusing on skilled trades and artificial intelligence education.
The first EO, “Preparing Americans for High-Paying Skilled Trade Jobs of the Future,” directs federal agencies to streamline workforce development programs and connect workers with in-demand jobs. Agencies must review existing programs, recommend reforms or cuts, and propose new strategies to train workers for high-growth industries.
It also sets a goal: surpass 1 million new active apprentices. The order pushes for wider use of alternative credentials, calls for more investment in upskilling, and demands clearer reporting on the results of federally funded workforce programs.
The second EO, “Advancing Artificial Intelligence Education for American Youth,” lays out a national plan to boost AI literacy starting in K-12 schools. It creates a White House Task Force on Artificial Intelligence Education to coordinate new public-private partnerships, develop AI-focused teacher training and expand coursework and certification options for students.
It also launches a Presidential Artificial Intelligence Challenge to encourage student and educator innovation across the country. Agencies are directed to prioritize AI in grant funding, build AI apprenticeship programs, and help states integrate AI skills into youth workforce programs.
Both executive orders are part of a broader push to prepare Americans for a fast-changing economy, with new investments in skilled trades, technology education and workforce development.