ACCESS Act of 2024

The ACCESS Act of 2024 creates a new grant program to help community colleges develop career training programs that meet the needs of employers in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries. It authorizes grants of up to $1.5 million for individual community colleges and up to $5 million for consortia to support education and career training programs, with at least 25% of funds required for student support services like childcare, transportation, and mental health resources. The bill also authorizes state grants of $2.5 million to $10 million to support statewide reforms that align career training with workforce needs and require states to develop comprehensive plans for improving educational pathways. Grantees must track student outcomes and report annually on program effectiveness, with a focus on serving populations with barriers to employment and increasing opportunities in underserved communities.