Bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the U.S. Senate would provide states with tuition assistance funding to support apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
The American Apprenticeship Act would analyze the use of apprenticeships for in-demand occupations, and award competitive grants to states that have developed effective strategies to diversify, market, and scale registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs. Grants would cover costs associated with participating in registered apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs such as equipment, educational materials, tuition, and fees.
U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the bill.
“Small business owners have told me that one of the biggest challenges they face is finding qualified and trained workers to fill vacant positions,” Collins said. “Apprenticeships help address this issue by aligning employees’ skills with employers’ needs and preparing individuals for a successful future in their chosen field. During the ongoing workforce shortage, this bipartisan bill would help fill the gap by expanding access to and lowering the cost of apprenticeships, allowing more Americans to take advantage of these programs to gain in-demand skills and obtain good-paying jobs.”
The Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act introduced in February would allow students to use federal Pell Grants to pay for shorter-term job training programs leading to a license or certificate.