WASHINGTON, DC – The following is a statement from Robert Espinoza, CEO of National Skills Coalition, in response to President Trump’s latest steps to dismantle the Department of Education:
“For decades, the Department of Education has provided vital support to students across the country. From career and technical education to adult education programs, digital skills training, crucial data and research, helping people access federal financial aid and support, and much more, the Department of Education has helped millions secure stable careers without a four-year degree.
“The recent dismissal of more than 1,300 employees at the Department of Education is deeply concerning. Executed hastily and seemingly without a clear strategy, this action risks disrupting education and workforce training systems that students nationwide rely on.
“For years, business leaders, students, and providers have advocated for strategies to encourage cross-agency collaboration and state alignment. These dismissals—paired with a reported order to dismantle the department completely—will move the U.S. further from that goal rather than closer to it, making progress even more difficult.
“Career and technical education programs serve 11.8 million students, including 3.5 million post-secondary students. If these programs are mismanaged, far too many students will lose access to industry-aligned training, work-based learning, and pathways to high-quality jobs. Eliminating the Department of Education will make it harder for states to run these programs efficiently. Additionally, these cuts could erode the Department of Education’s robust data infrastructure, hindering states’ abilities to evaluate which education and workforce training programs are effective and meet their unique needs.
“Moreover, recent administrative decisions, including restricting colleges from considering race in various programs like financial aid, will create more barriers for Black, Latino, and other underrepresented students seeking skills training opportunities. Today’s post-secondary students are diverse: many are working adults, parents, caregivers, immigrants, and first-generation learners. To succeed, they depend on targeted financial aid, workforce training, and student support services. Letting go of the staff who support these and other programs will not only harm students but also disrupt industries that rely on skilled workers, including healthcare, manufacturing, and technology.
“National Skills Coalition believes that gutting the Department of Education and eliminating many of the staff responsible for critical programs is the wrong approach. Instead, we must maintain the U.S. Department of Education’s structure and invest in policies that expand access to high-quality education and training to ensure that every student—regardless of background—has a clear pathway to prosperity.”
