Building Youth Workforce Skills Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 2380
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-16T18:21:46Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Building Youth Workforce Skills Act (H.R. 2380) aims to expand access to job training for young people by amending the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). WIOA is a federal law that funds workforce development programs to help people gain skills for employment. This bill specifically allows certain youth to use "individual training accounts" (ITAs)—personalized funds for approved training—to build workforce skills.
Key Provisions
- Authorization of ITAs for Youth: Local areas receiving WIOA funds can now use them to create ITAs for eligible youth.
- Eligible Youth Groups:
- In-school youth aged 16 to 21 (students still attending school).
- Any out-of-school youth (those not currently in school, with no age limit specified in this provision).
- Training Services Covered: ITAs can pay eligible training providers for occupational skills training, such as job-specific classes listed under WIOA section 134(c)(3). This is similar to how ITAs work for adults or workers who have lost jobs.
- Implementation: Funds are allocated to local workforce areas, which manage the programs through partnerships with schools, community organizations, and employers.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Under current WIOA rules, ITAs are primarily available for adults (age 18+) and dislocated workers (those laid off due to job loss), but not routinely for youth under 18 or in-school youth.
- This bill adds a new subsection (9) to WIOA section 129(c), explicitly extending ITA eligibility to the specified youth groups without altering other youth program requirements.
- No changes to funding levels or overall program structure; it simply broadens how existing youth funds can be spent.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Local workforce development boards (state and local entities funded by the U.S. Department of Labor) gain flexibility in using funds, potentially increasing program efficiency and youth participation. The Department of Labor may need to update guidance or reporting to track these new uses.
- On Citizens: Young people, especially those aged 16-21 in school or out-of-school youth facing barriers to employment, could access more tailored training, leading to better job prospects, higher wages, and reduced dropout rates. This may help address youth unemployment, which affects about 10-15% of teens and young adults in the U.S.
- On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, as this is a domestic workforce policy focused on U.S. youth.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Youth Participants: Primary beneficiaries, including high school students (in-school) and dropouts or graduates not in school (out-of-school), who gain new pathways to skills training.
- Training Providers: Eligible organizations (e.g., community colleges, vocational schools, or nonprofits) that offer approved programs and can now receive payments via ITAs for youth services.
- Local Workforce Agencies: State and local boards that administer WIOA funds and will implement the expanded options.
- Employers and Educators: Businesses may benefit from a more skilled young workforce; schools could partner more closely with training programs.
- Federal Government: The Department of Labor oversees enforcement and funding distribution.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens WIOA's youth provisions (originally enacted in 2014) by aligning them with adult training models, promoting equal access to federal funds without creating new entitlements. No conflicts with existing anti-discrimination laws, as eligibility remains needs-based.
- Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's authority under the Commerce Clause to regulate workforce training for economic productivity; no First Amendment or privacy issues raised.
- Political: Supports bipartisan goals of youth empowerment and economic mobility, potentially appealing to lawmakers focused on education and jobs. If passed, it could serve as a model for future expansions of workforce programs amid ongoing debates on skills gaps and youth mental health post-pandemic.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Moran, Nathaniel [R-TX-1]
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-03-26: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in House
- 2025-03-26: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Building Youth Workforce Skills Act — issued 2025-03-26 — PDF (2 pages)