# Plain Language Summary: American Apprenticeship Act

This bill creates a federal grant program to help states pay for training programs that prepare people to enter apprenticeships in growing industries. Specifically, it funds two types of programs: pre-apprenticeships (which get people ready to enter an apprenticeship) and related classroom instruction for people already in apprenticeships. The federal government would cover between 20 and 50 percent of the costs, with states responsible for the rest. The bill focuses on apprenticeships in industries that currently don't use many apprentices, like information technology, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and transportation—basically fields where apprenticeships aren't yet common.

To get funding, states would need to submit a plan showing how they'll work with employers, schools, labor unions, and community organizations to launch or expand these programs. States would also need to demonstrate they're reaching underserved populations, including minorities, youth, people with disabilities, veterans, and people facing barriers to employment. The money can be used to cover tuition, textbooks, equipment, and other educational materials needed for the training. States can use up to 10 percent of the grant for administrative costs.

The bill emphasizes that this new funding should add to existing workforce development programs, not replace them. States are expected to first use other available federal and state financial assistance—like Pell Grants and workforce development funds—before tapping into these new grants. The Department of Labor and Department of Education would work together to review state applications and measure how well the programs work. By 2028, the Labor Department would report back to Congress on whether states used the money effectively and whether the programs actually helped people enter apprenticeships.

The bill would authorize $15 million per year from 2024 through 2029 to fund these state grants, making it a relatively modest investment aimed at expanding apprenticeships as an alternative pathway to good-paying jobs in industries where skilled workers are needed.

American Apprenticeship Act

DeLauro, Rosa L.

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.