Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2028
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Education
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2025-12-05T21:59:30Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025 aims to provide federal funding to institutions of higher education (colleges and universities) that offer registered apprenticeship programs focused on construction and manufacturing trades. These programs combine classroom learning with on-the-job training to prepare students for careers in fields like painting, drywall finishing, or glassworking. The goal is to increase enrollment, support students through better outreach and services, and connect graduates with employers, especially in rural, suburban, and exurban areas.
Key Provisions
- Community Outreach Grant Program (Section 2):
- The Secretary of Education, working with the Secretary of Labor, awards grants of up to $500,000 to eligible institutions.
- Funds must be used for outreach activities, including:
- Educating high school students, parents, guardians, and teachers about the benefits of these apprenticeship programs.
- Building relationships with local businesses and employers to encourage hiring of graduates, with a focus on rural, exurban (areas transitioning from rural to urban), and suburban regions to help more students work locally after completion.
- Partnering with local workforce development boards (groups that help match workers with jobs) and apprenticeship intermediaries (organizations that connect apprentices with opportunities) to reach nontraditional students (e.g., adults returning to education) and address community needs.
- Applications are submitted to the Secretary, who prioritizes institutions targeting rural students, first-generation college students (those whose parents did not attend college), minority students, and other underrepresented groups (people from backgrounds not commonly seen in apprenticeships, based on gender, ethnicity, or national origin).
- Authorizes $5 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
- Student Support Grant Program for Expanded Academic Advising (Section 3):
- Similar grant structure: Up to $500,000 per institution, awarded by the Secretary of Education in consultation with the Secretary of Labor.
- Funds support advising and services to help students stay enrolled, persist through challenges, and complete their programs, including:
- Academic advising such as career guidance, professional development, support for English as a second language learners (including Braille and American Sign Language users), information resources, and mentoring.
- Broader student support like health and family services (e.g., counseling for substance abuse or mental health), aid for first-generation students, childcare, and similar activities.
- Institutions may receive grants under both Sections 2 and 3.
- Grantees must submit a report to the Secretary within 180 days of completing grant activities, covering participation numbers (including high school students), progress on enrollment and completion rates (especially for underrepresented groups), and performance indicators like those in the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (a federal law measuring job training success).
- Authorizes $5 million annually from fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
- Definitions (Section 4):
- Defines key terms, such as:
- Construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college: A higher education institution sponsoring these programs.
- Registered apprenticeship program: A federally approved program under the National Apprenticeship Act that provides training for construction or manufacturing jobs, leads to a recognized credential (a qualification employers value, beyond just program completion), offers credits toward further education, and is accredited by a national agency.
- Other terms include eligible entity (the sponsoring institution), outreach (communications and networking), and underrepresented population.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new grant programs and funding authorizations not previously specified in existing law. It builds on frameworks like the Higher Education Act (which governs federal student aid and accreditation), the National Apprenticeship Act (which registers apprenticeships), and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (which supports job training), but does not amend them directly. Instead, it creates targeted incentives for institutions to expand outreach and support in specific industries without altering broader eligibility or requirements for apprenticeships.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Education will administer grants and reports, increasing administrative workload but fostering collaboration with the Department of Labor. This could enhance federal efforts to align education with workforce needs in construction and manufacturing.
- Citizens: Students, particularly from underrepresented groups, may gain better access to affordable, practical training leading to well-paying jobs. High schoolers could learn earlier about these paths, potentially reducing college debt by emphasizing credentials over traditional degrees. Graduates may find more local employment opportunities, boosting economic mobility in non-urban areas.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic education and workforce development.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Institutions of Higher Education: Eligible colleges sponsoring these apprenticeships will receive funding to grow programs but must meet reporting and priority criteria.
- Students: Especially rural, first-generation, minority, nontraditional, and English language learners, who benefit from outreach, advising, and support to enroll and succeed.
- Employers and Businesses: Local companies in construction and manufacturing gain from outreach to hire skilled workers, particularly in underserved areas.
- High Schools and Workforce Groups: Schools receive educational outreach; workforce boards and intermediaries help tailor programs to local job markets.
- Federal Agencies: Departments of Education and Labor oversee implementation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill ensures programs meet accreditation and credential standards, promoting quality without imposing new mandates on non-participating institutions. Reporting requirements align with existing federal accountability laws, reducing legal risks.
- Constitutional: No apparent issues; it supports equal educational access under the general welfare clause, with priorities for underrepresented groups advancing equity without violating equal protection principles.
- Political: Highlights bipartisan support (introduced by senators from different parties) for vocational education and rural development amid concerns over skilled labor shortages in key U.S. industries. It could influence future workforce policies by emphasizing apprenticeships as an alternative to four-year degrees, potentially sparking debates on funding priorities for higher education.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (3)
Sen. Daines, Steve [R-MT], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN], Sen. Sheehy, Tim [R-MT]
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-06-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-11 — PDF (10 pages)