For a quarter of a millennium, the sweat and toil of our blue-collar workers have been the bedrock upon which our nation stands.
They have constructed roads, erected bridges, and raised the towering skyscrapers that define our urban landscapes. Their relentless dedication continues to fuel our progress and prosperity.
As we commemorate Labor Day, we honor the American labor force that transformed a vast, uncharted frontier into thriving communities and robust industries. For 250 years, these workers have been the lifeblood of our enterprises and the cornerstone of our greatest achievement: the family unit.
As a mother of twins and a new grandmother, I comprehend that our daily grind is not merely a means to an end. It is about the loved ones we gather with around the dinner table. Our wage earners are not just clocking in and out to pass the time. Their labor serves a higher purpose: to provide for the next generation.
Therefore, we laud the diligence and pride that the American worker brings to their profession, for they are not merely expanding the economy they are keeping the American Dream alive and thriving for future generations.
At the Department of Labor, we are committed to propelling America into its Golden Age. Prosperity is within our grasp, with real median weekly earnings at their highest level since President Donald Trump's previous term.
We are taking the necessary steps to ensure that as new, mortgage-paying jobs emerge, skilled workers are prepared and available to fill them. Prioritizing native-born workers in this endeavor, we have already seen an increase in native-born employment by 2,462,000 since January.
In a bid to sustain this progress, President Trump has entrusted the Labor Department with the mission to Make America Skilled Again. This is a drumbeat I am committed to maintaining. It will demand time and effort, but it promises to yield dividends for our workers and their families.
As we forge new opportunities for the American worker, I have been engaging with individuals across the nation, whose experiences shape our policies. I am discovering their needs at the federal level and how we can best serve them from Washington.
Midway through my 50-state America at Work tour, a recurring theme has emerged: workforce readiness ensuring our labor force is equipped and trained for the challenges of tomorrow. After years of political neglect, the American worker was sidelined, their interests overlooked.
Now, the Trump administration is reversing this trend, positioning our workers at the apex of our economic vision. We are rekindling the Made in America spirit that was instrumental in the founding of our nation.
Just over 200 days into President Trumps remarkable second term, we have witnessed the economy respond swiftly to improved trade deals and sound labor policy particularly in the private sector. Domestic investments have exceeded $8 trillion, leading to the creation of half a million private sector jobs since Inauguration Day.
According to Fox News, blue-collar wages have also risen 1.4% over the previous year the second-fastest increase for the start of a new term on record. Even more encouraging, instead of inflation outpacing wages, as it did under President Joe Biden for 26 consecutive months, real wages have increased every single month since President Trump returned to office.
And this is just the beginning.
With this unprecedented job and wage growth, I am collaborating with my colleagues across the administration to sustain the buoyant economy. The Departments of Labor, Commerce, and Education have united to devise a five-pillar plan called Americas Talent Strategy.
This comprehensive strategy aims to broaden access to well-paying jobs, build skilled talent pipelines for critical industries, equip the workforce with artificial intelligence skills, and reestablish the U.S. as the global economic leader.
In an effort to provide further relief to hardworking families, I am resolved to reduce government interference. At the Department of Labor, we announced a record 63 deregulatory actions to achieve this. We are cutting red tape and making it easier for workers to retain more of their hard-earned money.
My team also announced $30 million in grant opportunities through the Industry-Driven Skills Training Fund. This funding will accelerate workforce innovation and address critical labor needs nationwide, providing a financial boost to those who need it most.
Moreover, our future will not be shaped in the halls of ideologically-driven universities, but by the determination of skilled workers. Therefore, I am coordinating with the Department of Education and working with states to expose more students to the trades and provide a springboard into the workforce that does not rely on a traditional four-year degree.
Trade school enrollment has already reached an all-time high, and we are committed to ensuring it continues to rise.
In alignment with these objectives, President Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act into law, expanding Pell Grants to students pursuing technical education and skills training. This law will not only unlock more opportunities for future tradesmen and women but will also add thousands of dollars to every workers paycheck through historic tax cuts.
Between the expanded Pell Grant opportunities and the presidents directive to recruit more apprentices, it is evident we are on track to create one million new active apprenticeships nationwide. Since January alone, the Department of Labor recorded 1,736 new registered apprenticeship programs launched nationally and over 183,000 new apprentices.
On this Labor Day, and every day, we acknowledge the contributions of our apprentices, tradesmen, blue-collar workers, and small business owners. And there is much to anticipate as the Department of Labor launches our official celebration of the 250th birthday of our great nation.
With President Trump at the helm, labor will remain a priority in our America First agenda. Thanks to our negotiator-in-chief, the future is increasingly bright for the American worker.
Login