Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 2910

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Labor and Employment

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-04-14: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-06-19T08:06:13Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2025 aims to create or expand programs that help young people aged 6 to 18 (or 19 if still in high school) gain the skills and experiences needed to succeed in the job market. It focuses on out-of-school-time activities—like after-school, weekends, or summers—to build employability skills, explore careers, provide training, offer mentoring, and connect youth to work opportunities. The goal is to integrate these efforts with existing education, workforce, and economic development systems, improve overall workforce quality, involve employers in youth training, and include younger children in age-appropriate ways.

Key Provisions

• Grant Program: The Secretary of Labor awards competitive grants to eligible entities to plan, develop, and run nationwide out-of-school-time workforce readiness programs. Grants last 3 to 5 years and total up to $100 million authorized annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
• Eligible Entities and Applications: Grantees must be national youth-serving organizations operating in at least 35 states, focusing on youth workforce programs. Applications require details on program locations (ensuring urban-rural balance), target youth (especially from underserved or high-unemployment areas), evidence-based strategies, safe facilities, coordination with other public programs, partnerships, and budgets. Funds must supplement (not replace) existing resources.
• Program Activities: Programs must provide services like:
• For youth 15 and older: Career pathways (step-by-step plans to jobs or further education), paid/unpaid work experiences (e.g., internships, apprenticeships, job shadowing, on-the-job training), work-based learning, occupational skills training aligned with local job needs, customized training (tailored to specific skills), and support for transitioning to college or vocational training.
• For all eligible youth: Leadership development (e.g., community service), mentoring (at least 12 months), counseling (including on substance abuse), financial literacy, entrepreneurship training, labor market info, employability skills (e.g., communication, critical thinking), academic support, and career exposure through employer partnerships.
• Optional: Professional development for educators and resources for employers to work with youth.
• Entities may award subgrants to local partners with Secretary approval.
• Evaluation and Reporting: Programs must use data-driven performance measures (e.g., attendance, grades, skill gains, graduation rates, internship completion) aligned with school needs. The Secretary evaluates progress periodically, using results to improve programs and decide on renewals. A public report goes to Congress.
• Definitions: Key terms include "eligible youth" (from Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or WIOA, but expanded to ages 6-18/19), "community-based organization" (nonprofits expert in youth workforce and education), "covered partnership" (involving nonprofits, schools, employers, or tribes), and "out-of-school-time" (supervised learning outside regular school hours).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, a 2014 law governing job training programs):

• Reestablishes Youth Councils: Adds mandatory youth councils as subgroups within each local WIOA board (previously optional or phased out). Councils include diverse members (e.g., educators, labor reps, parents, youth from vulnerable groups like foster care or minorities, employers, Job Corps reps) and advise on youth workforce issues. Non-board council members vote in councils but not on the full board.
• Updates to Plans and Reports: State and local WIOA plans must describe how youth council recommendations are incorporated. Annual state and local reports must include youth council activities, ensuring youth input shapes workforce strategies.

Potential Impacts

• Government Agencies: The Department of Labor gains responsibility for administering grants, evaluations, and reporting, potentially increasing administrative workload but fostering better coordination with WIOA systems. Local workforce boards must integrate youth councils, leading to more youth-focused planning.
• Citizens: Eligible youth, especially in underserved urban/rural or high-unemployment areas, gain expanded access to free or low-cost skill-building, mentoring, and job experiences outside school hours, potentially boosting school performance, graduation rates, and early career entry. Families benefit from supportive services like counseling and financial education. Employers may see a more skilled future workforce.
• International Relations: No direct impacts; the Act is domestic-focused on U.S. youth and local economies.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Youth (Ages 6-18/19): Primary beneficiaries, particularly those from low-income, minority, rural, or disadvantaged backgrounds (e.g., foster youth, those with disabilities).
• Community-Based and National Organizations: Nonprofits and youth-serving groups (including faith-based) that deliver programs and form partnerships.
• Employers and Industry Partnerships: Businesses, sector groups, and tribes involved in training, internships, and hiring youth.
• Educational and Workforce Entities: Local schools, WIOA local boards, and youth councils that coordinate activities and incorporate youth input.
• Government: Secretary of Labor, state/local workforce agencies, and Congress (via oversight and funding).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: Builds on WIOA without overriding it, emphasizing "supplement not supplant" to avoid duplicating funds. Performance measures ensure accountability, and equitable distribution requirements promote fair access, aligning with anti-discrimination laws like Title VI of the Civil Rights Act.
• Constitutional: Supports equal protection by targeting underserved youth, potentially advancing economic opportunity without infringing on states' rights (as WIOA allows local flexibility).
• Political: Introduced with bipartisan support (Democrats and Republicans), it emphasizes economic mobility and employer engagement, which could appeal across parties but may face debates on funding levels or program effectiveness in a budget-constrained environment. No major controversies noted in the bill text.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]

Cosponsors (34)

Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Ross, Deborah K. [D-NC-2], Rep. Moulton, Seth [D-MA-6], Rep. McIver, LaMonica [D-NJ-10], Rep. Titus, Dina [D-NV-1], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Davids, Sharice [D-KS-3], Rep. Cleaver, Emanuel [D-MO-5], Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Davis, Donald G. [D-NC-1], Rep. Krishnamoorthi, Raja [D-IL-8], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. Sorensen, Eric [D-IL-17], Rep. Veasey, Marc A. [D-TX-33], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24], Rep. Nunn, Zachary [R-IA-3], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. DelBene, Suzan K. [D-WA-1], Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Latimer, George [D-NY-16], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Brownley, Julia [D-CA-26], Rep. Beatty, Joyce [D-OH-3], Rep. Bell, Wesley [D-MO-1]

Recent Actions

• 2025-04-14: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-04-14: Introduced in House
• 2025-04-14: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Youth Workforce Readiness Act of 2025 — issued 2025-04-14 — PDF (21 pages)