A Level Playing Field

By Matthew J. Brouillette

“A level playing field.”

Whether you’re talking about sports, jobs, government regulations, or the AI revolution, most people agree that there should be a level playing field. Everyone should have the same shot, and the rules shouldn’t favor one group over another.

Unfortunately, that’s not always how Pennsylvania operates. And issues discussed at the recent Energy and Innovation Summit in Pittsburgh provide two examples.

I was at the summit and listened to Mike Rowe of Dirty Jobs point out that the AI revolution is coming for computer coders. But it’s not coming for welders, plumbers, steamfitters, pipefitters, HVAC technicians, and electricians.

Instead, demand for these skills is increasing.

But an uneven playing field is holding us back. Specifically, the rules governing apprenticeship ratios.

Current regulations mandate a 4:1 ratio of supervisors to apprentice, regardless of the industry or industry hazard level. This dramatically limits apprenticeship opportunities, clogging the pipeline of trained workers.

But unions have their own rules and can bargain their own ratios—even 1:1!  There is no logical reason for the double standard.

Thankfully, lawmakers are working to level the apprenticeship playing field to meet the demand for skilled workers.

State Sen. Dawn Keefer and State Rep. Barb Gleim have both introduced legislation that would standardize ratios based on job hazard: 3:1 for high-hazard industries down to 1:1 for low-hazard industries. This would level the playing field and help Pennsylvania meet growing workforce demands.

The playing field is also tilted against Pennsylvania because of Gov. Josh Shapiro’s insistence on forcing Pennsylvania into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). In RGGI states like Pennsylvania, zero new natural gas power plants—which are critical to meeting AI energy demands—are planned. But 22 other states are either building or developing natural gas power plants.

Shapiro could easily level this playing field by ending his legal crusade to force Pennsylvania into RGGI. But he hasn’t. In fact, he’s pushing his own Green New Deal-like plans.

Fair rules shouldn’t be controversial. Shapiro and lawmakers can take immediate steps to end unfair disadvantages, create a level playing field, and position Pennsylvania to lead on energy and innovation.

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