U.S. Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) have introduced the American Apprenticeship Act, which the lawmakers maintain seeks to expand apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship access.
“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.”
Per the legislation, provisions include authorizing the Department of Labor to award competitive grants to states having developed strategies to diversify, market, and scale; allowing states to utilize grant funds to aid Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship program participants in obtaining industry-relevant classroom instruction; and requiring the Department of Labor to analyze the use of apprenticeships for in-demand occupations.
“Apprenticeships help people receive valuable on-the-job training and get the skills they need to work in high-demand fields,” Klobuchar said. “By providing additional tuition assistance resources for apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, our bipartisan legislation will enable more people to access and benefit from these valuable programs.”
U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) has introduced companion legislation in the House of Representatives.
“The American Apprenticeship Act will help raise wages and reduce worker turnover by investing in workers, helping them gain skills to get good-paying jobs,” DeLauro said. “The programs created under the legislation would allow businesses to create a pipeline of skilled workers while improving their bottom line and strengthening our global competitiveness – so workers win, business wins, and our economy grows.”