04/24/2025

ASAE Applauds Trump's Executive Order to Modernize Workforce Programs

The organization also offered assistance on its implementation

The American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) today applauded President Donald Trump’s executive order to modernize American workforce development programs to better prepare citizens for the high-paying skilled jobs of the future.

The order, signed on April 23, directs the Secretaries of Labor, Education and Commerce to conduct a comprehensive review of all federal workforce programs to modernize, integrate and re-align them to address urgent talent pipeline needs in emerging industries. ASAE commends the administration’s forward-thinking approach and stands ready to support the Departments of Labor, Education and Commerce in developing a streamlined and effective plan that maximizes the reach and impact of federal workforce programs.

ASAE also offers the resources and expertise of the Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, in which the Ohio Society of Association Professionals (OSAP) was a founding partner, as a key alliance in this national effort. Led by ASAE and the Professional Certification Coalition (PCC), the Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition has grown to include more than 900 organizations representing more than 50 industries nationwide. The coalition supports modernizing workforce development by advocating for policies that empower individuals to gain industry-recognized credentials and pursue alternative career pathways.

A key legislative priority of the coalition is the bipartisan, bicameral Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (S. 756 / H.R. 1151), which would expand qualified expenses under 529 education savings plans to include post-secondary training and credentialing, such as licenses and nongovernmental certifications. This common-sense update would provide critical tax-advantaged resources to workers pursuing career growth, mid-career changes or entry into high-demand fields — many of which are essential to emerging economic sectors.

ASAE strongly encourages the Departments of Labor, Education and Commerce to include 529 expansion language in their recommended actions, ensuring that the modernized workforce strategy supports all pathways to career advancement — including certification and licensure programs that drive innovation and economic growth across U.S. industries.

"This executive order recognizes that building a modern workforce requires modern tools," said ASAE President and CEO Michelle Mason, FASAE, CAE. "Associations are the backbone of skills-based training across countless industries, and ASAE, along with the Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, is ready to collaborate with federal agencies to ensure the success of this initiative. By aligning policy with practical training needs — including expanding access to credentialing through 529 plans — we can build a stronger, more competitive American workforce."