Leveraging Educational Opportunity Networks Act

The Leveraging Educational Opportunity Networks Act creates a federal grant program to fund workforce training initiatives targeting workers without bachelor’s degrees, particularly those from low-income backgrounds, rural communities, historically disadvantaged groups, and formerly incarcerated individuals. Eligible organizations - such as non-profits, national training groups, and accredited institutions - would receive competitive grants to develop 12-week career programs that partner with employers in high-demand sectors (like healthcare, IT, and manufacturing), ensuring participants earn recognized credentials while receiving living wages and wraparound supports like stipends and job readiness coaching. Programs must prioritize enrollees reading at a 6th-grade level or below, guarantee at least 50% of participants come from underserved communities, and report annually on outcomes like earnings growth, employment rates, and credential attainment. The initiative allocates $30 million annually (2026-2029) to address labor shortages and support economic mobility through targeted, employer-aligned training.