DARKE COUNTY — A presidential executive order is earning praise from one of Ohio’s U.S. Congressmen.

“President Donald Trump’s executive order on apprenticeships is a needed move for hard-working Americans,” said Rep. Warren Davidson (R-Ohio). “Owning and leading manufacturing companies, I experienced what so many others tell me they experience: skilled workers are very hard to find and training them takes commitment.”

President Trump on Thursday signed the executive order which provides $200 million in funding and allows for private industry to have a bigger role in forming plans to fill approximately 6 million open jobs in the United States. The money would come from existing job training programs and would have the U.S. Department of Labor streamline 43 workforce programs across 13 federal agencies.

“We’re training people to have great jobs and high-paying jobs. We’re here today to celebrate the dignity of work and the greatness of the American worker,” Trump said during the signing ceremony at the White House.

“Not only will the Executive Order help close the skills gap, it will help thousands of residents of the 8th District earn better paying jobs‎ by acquiring new skills,” said Davidson.

As a businessman for 16 years before entering Congress, Davidson said he is “acutely aware” of the critical shortage of workers in manufacturing and trades.

“This affects nearly every role, but is particularly painful for the most skilled positions,” he said. “Too few young people are entering the sector and learning the skills that will transform the industry, and assure them of stable careers.”

In addition to Trump’s executive order, Davidson said he is supporting other measures in Congress which will foster job training and growth.

“I am proud to support legislation focused on solving the same problems, such as the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act,” he said. “This bipartisan legislation seeks to improve career and technical education by empowering state and local community leaders, improving alignment with in-demand jobs, and increasing transparency and accountability.”

“Our society is continually telling our youth that a four-year degree is the only path, but we must show that a technical education can also lead to a career, while avoiding the excessive burden of student loan debt (which also needs reformed). I believe legislation such as this will help bridge the skillset gap many of our manufacturers see today while also boosting our local economy,” he added.

Davidson says investing in workforce development is “investing in our citizens and our communities.”

“We are blessed here in Ohio’s 8th District with many great manufacturers, and abundant skilled trade jobs and job opportunities,” he said. “I promote policies that will foster innovation and productivity in not just these companies, but also opportunities that provide the dignity of work for hardworking Americans at every career level. A skilled workforce will bring about the innovative ideas that our manufacturing sector needs to remain competitive on the world stage.”