Senators Collins, Klobuchar Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Apprenticeships

Washington, D.C. - U.S. Senators Susan Collins and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) introduced the American Apprenticeship Act, bipartisan legislation that would provide states with tuition assistance funding to support apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.

“Small business owners have told me that one of the biggest challenges they face is finding qualified and trained workers to fill vacant positions,” said Senator Collins. “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.”

Specifically, the American Apprenticeship Act would:

• Award competitive grants to states that have developed effective strategies to diversify, market, and scale Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs;

• Cover costs associated with participating in Registered Apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs, including tuition, fees, equipment, and other educational materials; and

• Analyze the use of apprenticeships for in-demand occupations.

In addition to this bill, last month, Senator Collins and bipartisan group of her Senate colleagues introduced the Jumpstarting Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act to help more Americans access job training programs. This legislation would allow students to use federal Pell Grants—need-based education grants for lower-income individuals— to pay for shorter-term job training programs leading to a license or certificate.

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