American Apprenticeship Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 1783
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-05T20:43:44Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The American Apprenticeship Act aims to support the expansion of apprenticeship programs in underrepresented industries by providing federal grants to states. These grants help cover costs for pre-apprenticeships (preparatory training programs) and related instruction (classroom or online learning tied to apprenticeships), focusing on sectors where apprenticeships are currently rare (less than 10% of total programs).
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Qualified apprenticeship: A registered apprenticeship program under the existing National Apprenticeship Act, but limited to industries or occupations with low apprenticeship participation (e.g., less than 10% of all apprenticeable fields).
- Pre-apprenticeship: A preparatory program designed to build skills for entering qualified apprenticeships, including aligned training, hands-on experience (without displacing paid workers), and formal agreements for credit toward full apprenticeships or postsecondary education.
- Related instruction: Structured classroom or web-based learning on theoretical and technical subjects for apprentices or pre-apprentices.
- Sponsor: Entities like employers, labor organizations, schools, or community groups that run these programs.
- Grant Program:
- The Secretary of Labor awards competitive grants to states to fund the federal share (20-50%) of costs for pre-apprenticeships or related instruction in qualified programs.
- States must submit applications with a strategic plan, including collaborations with industry, education, and labor partners; coordination with laws like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, which funds job training) and the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (which supports vocational education); and strategies to reach underserved groups (e.g., minorities, youth, people with disabilities, veterans).
- Funds can cover tuition, fees, textbooks, equipment, and other educational materials; up to 10% may go to administrative costs.
- Grants prioritize supplementing (not replacing) existing federal and state workforce funds, and encourage use of other aid like Pell Grants or veteran benefits first.
- A joint Department of Labor and Education team reviews applications; performance measures (e.g., program quality, outreach success) are required, with evaluations aligned to federal standards.
- Additional Requirements:
- The Secretary must identify "in-demand" occupations (nationally and regionally) lacking apprenticeships, analyze their potential, and report findings to states and Congress.
- By September 30, 2030, the Secretary will report to Congress on grant effectiveness and state performance.
- Funding authorization: $15 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new federal funding specifically targeted at underrepresented apprenticeship sectors, building on the National Apprenticeship Act (which sets standards for apprenticeships) without altering its core framework. It enhances coordination with WIOA and Perkins Act by requiring states to align and leverage their funds, and adds equity-focused outreach mandates for underserved populations, which were not as emphasized in prior laws. It also establishes a dedicated grant program for pre-apprenticeships, a preparatory step not directly funded at this scale before.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: The Department of Labor gains responsibility for grant administration, evaluations, and reporting, potentially increasing workload but also expanding its role in workforce development. States receive direct funding support, easing budget pressures for vocational training.
- On Citizens: Improves access to affordable skill-building for entering high-demand jobs in fields like IT, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing, especially for underserved groups, potentially leading to better employment outcomes and reduced barriers to careers.
- On International Relations: No direct impacts; the bill focuses on domestic workforce training.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and Local Governments: Primary recipients of grants; must develop plans and partner with others to implement programs.
- Educational Institutions: Postsecondary schools, secondary schools, and career-technical centers benefit from funding for instruction and credit recognition.
- Employers and Industry Groups: Gain from expanded talent pipelines in underrepresented sectors through partnerships and program sponsorship.
- Labor Organizations and Community Groups: Involved as sponsors and outreach partners, particularly to support equity for minorities, youth, veterans, and those with employment barriers.
- Underserved Individuals: Direct beneficiaries through targeted access to training and apprenticeships.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Reinforces federal support for workforce equity under existing labor laws like WIOA, with built-in safeguards (e.g., non-displacement of workers, performance standards) to ensure program quality and prevent fraud. The supplemental funding policy avoids legal challenges related to supplanting state resources.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power to promote general welfare through education and training; no apparent conflicts with states' rights, as grants are voluntary and competitive.
- Political: Promotes bipartisan goals of job creation and skills development in emerging industries, but may spark debates on federal spending priorities or equity mandates. The focus on underrepresented sectors could influence future labor policy toward diversification beyond traditional trades.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. DeLauro, Rosa L. [D-CT-3]
Cosponsors (10)
Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Thompson, Mike [D-CA-4], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Cisneros, Gilbert Ray [D-CA-31], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6], Rep. Grijalva, Adelita S. [D-AZ-7], Rep. McClellan, Jennifer L. [D-VA-4]
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-03: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-03: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- American Apprenticeship Act — issued 2025-03-03 — PDF (12 pages)