The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) and the Department of Labor (DOL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to expand support for American manufacturing by aligning workforce development programs with capital and contracting tools. The agreement is designed to help small manufacturers grow by cultivating a skilled workforce and streamlining access to key federal resources.
The MOU builds on the fact that 98% of U.S. manufacturers are small businesses. Through expanded data-sharing and interagency collaboration, the SBA and DOL aim to better connect manufacturers with job training, financial support, and procurement opportunities. This partnership supports President Trump’s agenda to restore American industrial strength and create jobs nationwide.
Under the agreement, the DOL will focus on expanding Registered Apprenticeship programs and other hands-on training initiatives, while the SBA will provide cross-agency training on loan programs such as the 7(a) and 504. Together, the agencies will help ensure manufacturers have access to both skilled workers and capital.
This initiative complements the SBA’s broader Made in America Manufacturing Initiative, which includes a $100 billion regulatory reform effort and the creation of a new Onshoring Portal. The portal connects small businesses with over 1 million domestic suppliers to help reduce reliance on foreign adversaries and support U.S. jobs.
By working together, the SBA and DOL are streamlining support for domestic producers and ushering in a new era of Made in America manufacturing—grounded in economic independence, workforce development, and national security.