American Apprenticeship Act
- Bill Number
- S. 531
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Labor and Employment
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-02-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-03T21:02:27Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The American Apprenticeship Act aims to support states in expanding access to apprenticeships in underrepresented industries by providing federal grants to cover costs of pre-apprenticeship programs (preparatory training to enter apprenticeships) and related instruction (classroom or online learning tied to apprenticeships). It focuses on "qualified" apprenticeships—registered programs in sectors or occupations where apprenticeships make up less than 10% of the national total—to build skills in high-demand areas like information technology, healthcare, and advanced manufacturing.
Key Provisions
- Definitions:
- Qualified apprenticeship: A registered apprenticeship program under the National Apprenticeship Act (1937 law that sets standards for apprenticeships) in underrepresented sectors.
- Pre-apprenticeship: A preparatory program with industry-aligned training, hands-on experience (without displacing paid workers), and partnerships ensuring smooth entry into qualified apprenticeships, including credit toward college.
- Related instruction: Structured classroom or online teaching on technical subjects for apprentices or pre-apprentices.
- Sponsor: Entities like employers, unions, schools, or community organizations running these programs.
- Grants to States:
- Competitive grants from the Secretary of Labor to states for defraying costs of pre-apprenticeships or related instruction.
- Applications must include a strategic plan covering collaborations with industries, schools, and labor groups; coordination with existing laws like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA, which funds job training) and the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act; strategies to reach underserved groups (e.g., minorities, youth, people with disabilities, veterans); performance standards; and awareness-building efforts.
- Funds can cover tuition, fees, textbooks, equipment, curriculum, and other essentials; up to 10% for administrative costs.
- Federal share: 20–50% of costs; non-federal share can be cash, in-kind contributions (e.g., equipment), or donations.
- Performance: Secretary of Labor (with input from Secretary of Education) sets measures based on apprenticeship office standards; includes evaluation and reporting.
- Additional Requirements:
- Funds must supplement, not replace, existing federal or state workforce funding.
- Secretary must identify in-demand jobs lacking apprenticeships, analyze their potential, and report to states and Congress.
- Report to Congress by September 30, 2030, on grant effectiveness.
- Authorization: $15 million annually for fiscal years 2026–2031.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces new federal grant funding specifically for pre-apprenticeships and related instruction in underrepresented apprenticeship sectors, building on but not altering core laws like the National Apprenticeship Act (which registers programs) and WIOA (which supports broader job training). It adds requirements for partnerships, performance metrics, and focus on nontraditional industries, while mandating coordination with Perkins Act programs for career education. No direct amendments to prior laws are specified; instead, it expands support without supplanting existing resources.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases workload for the Department of Labor (grant administration, evaluations, reporting) and involves the Department of Education in reviews; provides states with new funding streams to integrate with WIOA and Perkins programs, potentially streamlining workforce development.
- Citizens: Lowers financial barriers to skill-building for individuals entering apprenticeships, especially underserved groups, by covering education costs and offering pathways to high-demand jobs; promotes credit for pre-apprenticeship work toward college, aiding long-term career and educational mobility.
- International Relations: No direct impacts mentioned; focuses on domestic workforce enhancement.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and Local Entities: Governors designate administering agencies; states apply for and manage grants, benefiting from federal cost-sharing.
- Program Sponsors: Employers, labor unions, trade groups, schools (secondary and postsecondary), community organizations, and workforce boards that run pre-apprenticeships and apprenticeships.
- Individuals: Aspiring apprentices, particularly youth, minorities, people with disabilities, veterans, and those facing employment barriers, who gain access to affordable training and job pathways.
- Industries and Educators: Sectors like IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation see expanded apprenticeship models; postsecondary institutions benefit from credit agreements and partnerships.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Ensures program quality through registration under existing apprenticeship laws and new performance standards (e.g., programs must operate at least 6 months); promotes equity by targeting underserved populations, aligning with anti-discrimination principles in labor laws like WIOA.
- Constitutional: Standard federal grant program to states, respecting state administration while providing federal oversight; no apparent conflicts with federalism or equal protection.
- Political: Bipartisan sponsorship (introduced by Senators Klobuchar and Collins) emphasizes workforce solutions in emerging industries; could influence future labor policy by highlighting apprenticeships as alternatives to traditional college paths, potentially reducing skills gaps without major regulatory overhauls.
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
- 2025-02-11: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2025-02-11: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- American Apprenticeship Act — issued 2025-02-11 — PDF (12 pages)