# Plain Language Summary: 21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act

This bill creates a new federal grant program to help schools build partnerships with local businesses to teach students job skills while they're still in middle and high school. The idea is to connect classroom learning directly to real jobs in the community, so students graduate with both a diploma and practical experience that employers actually want.

Here's how it works in practice: A school district can apply for a grant (lasting three years, potentially renewable for two more) to develop career pathway programs. These programs must involve partnerships between the school and local businesses or industry groups. For example, a school might partner with a manufacturing company to teach welding, or work with a healthcare system to train medical assistants. The bill requires that businesses contribute resources equal to or greater than what the school and federal grant provide, ensuring companies have real skin in the game. Students in these programs would get hands-on experience, potentially earn industry certifications while still in high school, and have a clearer path to good-paying jobs after graduation.

The bill also sets aside funding to make sure rural schools and schools serving Native American and Native Hawaiian students get a fair share of grants. It prioritizes programs that offer college credits to high school students, apprenticeships, or training for jobs that actually pay well. Schools can use the money to hire coordinators to manage these partnerships, buy equipment, train teachers in new skills, and cover costs for students to participate in internships or apprenticeships. The federal government will also provide technical help to schools applying for and managing these grants, making it easier for smaller districts to participate.

21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act

Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2]

21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act This bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to establish grant programs for educational or career training programs for students. First, ED must establish a career pathways innovation grant program. Under the program, ED must award grants to address the specialized skill needs of business and industry by carrying out programs that support career pathways in high school or career exploration in the middle grades. Second, ED must award grants for partnerships&#8212;between certain educational entities and employers&#8212;that provide educational or career training programs leading to recognized postsecondary credentials.