Job Corps Shipbuilding-Defense Industrial Base Pipeline Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- S. 4611
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-05-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2418-2419)
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-17T16:52:35Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation aims to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base by aligning the Job Corps program with workforce needs in defense-related industries, such as shipbuilding. It seeks to train skilled workers through existing Job Corps centers and apprenticeships while facilitating pathways for military recruits and veterans.
Key Provisions
- The Department of Defense's National Imperative for Industrial Skills program (or successor) must expand use of Job Corps centers and registered apprenticeship programs to address shortages of skilled industrial workers.
- Military recruiters must inform recruits ineligible for enlistment under 10 U.S.C. § 520 about Job Corps and apprenticeship opportunities.
- The Secretary of Defense may provide grants to Job Corps center operators to realign training trades, develop curricula, and invest in equipment or facilities near shipyards or defense suppliers.
- Job Corps is added as an eligible recipient under the shipbuilding special incentive in 10 U.S.C. § 8696(b)(2).
- Amendments to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) include:
- Recognizing military enlistment (with an Armed Forces Qualification Test score above the 31st percentile) as a measure of Job Corps graduate success.
- Allowing Job Corps to accept external grants and donations with rules on use, transfer of property, and public reporting.
- Granting local operators authority to hire staff, form partnerships, and engage stakeholders without prior Secretary approval.
- Streamlining enrollment for veterans, transitioning service members, and certain military recruits, including exemptions from background checks in specified cases.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Adds new subsection (G) to 10 U.S.C. § 8696(b)(2) to extend incentives to Job Corps programs.
- Modifies WIOA § 142(5) to expand the definition of successful Job Corps outcomes.
- Revises WIOA § 158(f) to broaden funding sources and impose new restrictions on external funds.
- Updates WIOA § 151 to provide local authority for operators.
- Amends WIOA §§ 144 and 145 to facilitate enrollment and reduce administrative barriers for military-affiliated individuals.
Potential Impacts
- Government agencies: Increases coordination between the Department of Defense and the Department of Labor; expands Job Corps operators' flexibility while requiring public disclosure of external funding.
- Citizens: Creates new training and employment pathways for ineligible military recruits, veterans, and individuals seeking defense-related skills.
- International relations: Indirectly supports domestic defense production capacity, which may affect U.S. military readiness but has no direct foreign policy provisions.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Job Corps center operators and enrollees.
- Department of Defense and military recruiters.
- Defense industrial base employers, including shipyards and suppliers.
- Veterans and transitioning service members.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill introduces targeted exceptions to background check requirements and property transfer rules under existing statutes. It maintains compliance with WIOA and title 10 authorities without altering constitutional structures. The legislation reflects bipartisan sponsorship and focuses on workforce alignment without introducing new regulatory mandates on private entities.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2026-05-20: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S2418-2419)
- 2026-05-20: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Job Corps Shipbuilding-Defense Industrial Base Pipeline Act of 2026 — issued 2026-05-20 — PDF (9 pages)