Labor & Employment (Apprenticeships)

This bill creates a program offering zero-interest forgivable loans to cover tuition and living expenses for District residents pursuing apprenticeships or credentials in high-growth industries like technology, healthcare, construction, and early childhood education. It directly affects D.C. high school graduates and other residents facing financial barriers to training, providing support for tuition, childcare, on-the-job training, and living costs. Participants must live and work in the District after completing their program to qualify for loan forgiveness. The program is funded by a permanent Pathways to Prosperity Fund established under the bill.

The DC Youth Links App Act of 2025 requires the District's Deputy Mayor for Education to create a smartphone app and website connecting youth aged 14-24 with flexible, paid job opportunities in the private sector. The platform will let users filter jobs by skills, wage, location, and hours while requiring employers to complete labor law training and undergo vetting before posting. The bill directs the Deputy Mayor to prioritize employers in all eight wards - especially those with public transit access - and engage youth facing economic hardship (e.g., homelessness, foster care, or education barriers). The app must also collect data to evaluate how effectively it reduces employment barriers for District youth.