American Apprenticeship Act
Key claim: The American Apprenticeship Act (HR1783) would authorize Department of Labor grants to states to defray pre-apprenticeship and related-instruction costs for qualified apprenticeship programs, require performance measures and evaluation, and direct analysis of in-demand occupations that underuse apprenticeships.
Abstract
(HR1783 · 119th Congress) American Apprenticeship Act This bill authorizes the Department of Labor to make grants to assist states in carrying out projects that defray the cost of pre-apprenticeship or related instruction for qualified apprenticeship programs. Labor shall (1) establish performance measures and an evaluation system for such grant program; and (2) identify in-demand occupations that lack the use of apprenticeships, analyze the use of the qualified apprenticeship program model in those occupations, and report on such analysis to states and Congress. Latest action (2025-03-03): Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Why this matters
For students and workers, the bill would subsidize pre-apprenticeship access and the classroom (related-instruction) portion of registered apprenticeships, potentially lowering cost barriers to earn-and-learn pathways. For states and sponsoring institutions, it introduces new DOL grant streams tied to performance measures and gap analyses of under-apprenticed in-demand occupations, shaping how workforce dollars flow into education providers. Status: introduced in the 119th Congress, no enactment action yet.