Senate Confirms Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor

The Senate confirmed Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor on September 30^th, approving his nomination by a vote of 47–41. Sonderling, who had served as acting secretary since April, will now lead the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) on a permanent basis. President Trump nominated Sonderling for the position on June 29^th, following the departure of former Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer. The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee advanced his nomination in July by a 12–11 vote before the full Senate considered his appointment. Sonderling brings experience in federal labor policy, employment law, and workforce issues. Before becoming acting secretary, he served as deputy secretary of labor after his confirmation in March 2025. He previously served as a commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) from 2020 to 2024 and held several positions within the Department of Labor during the first Trump administration.

Sonderling's leadership will be relevant to mechanical and sheet metal contractors as the Department of Labor administers and enforces federal requirements affecting wages, workplace safety and health, benefits, workforce development, and apprenticeship programs. Among the issues of interest to SMACNA members are the administration of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, federal prevailing wage requirements, wage-and-hour regulations, apprenticeship and training policy, and workplace safety requirements administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). The Department also plays an important role in addressing workforce challenges, including expanding pathways into the skilled trades, and connecting workers with the training needed to meet employer demand. Those issues remain particularly important to the sheet metal and HVAC industry as contractors respond to major construction investments and continued demand for skilled workers. Sonderling has emphasized workforce development, registered apprenticeship and safety during his time leading the department. The DOL has also identified expanding registered apprenticeship opportunities as an important workforce priority.

Sonderling's interest in workforce development was on display during a June visit to SMACNA's Philadelphia chapter and SMACNA member Prime Sheet Metal in Warminster, Pennsylvania. During the visit, Sonderling toured Prime Sheet Metal and participated in an industry roundtable with contractors and SMACNA and SMCA leaders. Participants included Dominic Bonitatis of Prime Sheet Metal, Ernest Menold of Ernest D. Menold, Inc., Jennifer Lohr of Fisher Balancing Company, SMCA Executive Director Pete Jenkins, and SMACNA Executive Director of Government and Political Affairs Stan Kolbe. The discussion focused on workforce development, registered apprenticeship, veteran recruitment, employee retention, technology adoption, and the growing demand for skilled workers driven by major investments in pharmaceuticals, data centers, infrastructure and public works.

Sonderling emphasized the importance of safety, public-private partnerships and expanding registered apprenticeship opportunities nationwide. Industry leaders also discussed workforce investments by companies such as Google, BlackRock and Meta and the role partnerships can play in preparing the next generation of skilled trades professionals.

The visit provided an opportunity for the Department of Labor to hear directly from contractors about the workforce challenges facing the industry and the role that joint labor-management apprenticeship programs can play in addressing those challenges. 

With Sonderling's confirmation, the Department of Labor now has permanent leadership following several months with an acting secretary. For SMACNA members, the department's work will continue to have a direct impact on the regulatory and workforce environment in which mechanical and sheet metal contractors operate. Federal decisions involving prevailing wage, apprenticeship, workplace safety, wage and hour requirements and workforce development can affect contractors' compliance responsibilities, project costs, training programs and workforce planning. SMACNA looks forward to working with Secretary Sonderling in his new role as head of the Department of Labor and will continue to monitor developments at DOL and keep members informed about federal policies and regulatory actions that may affect the industry and its workforce.