Labor & Employment (Workforce Development) in United States

passed · United States · Senate Jul 15, 2025

S 433: National Manufacturing Advisory Council Act

S 433 establishes the National Manufacturing Advisory Council within the Department of Commerce to advise federal agencies on manufacturing policy. The council, composed of up to 30 members representing industry, labor, and academia, will meet at least every six months and produce an annual strategic plan addressing workforce development, supply chain issues, and technological impacts on manufacturing. It requires input from economically distressed areas, rural communities, and regions affected by manufacturing layoffs. The council transfers functions from an existing manufacturing advisory group and terminates after five years, with no new funding authorized.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

in committee · United States · Senate Dec 3, 2025

S 3328: Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act

This bill establishes a new "Digital Skills at Work Grant Program" to fund digital skills training for workers in in-demand industries, particularly targeting individuals with digital skills gaps and barriers to employment. It amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to provide federal grants to states for expanding digital workplace skills training, with priority given to helping those with low digital literacy as defined by educational attainment, income level, or limited English proficiency. States must submit detailed applications on how they'll use funds, and the program requires reporting on outcomes including progress for different demographic groups to ensure accountability. The program focuses on building "digitally resilient" systems and individuals to better prepare workers for the changing labor market. The goal is to help workers gain skills needed for current and future jobs while promoting digital equity.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

in committee · United States · House Apr 9, 2025

HR 2789: Adult Education WORKS Act

The Adult Education WORKS Act establishes "college and career navigators" who provide personalized guidance to help individuals access education, job training, and workforce development services. These navigators help people identify career paths, connect to financial aid, and develop digital literacy and information literacy skills needed for success in education and employment. The bill requires state and local workforce boards to collaborate with adult education providers to promote these navigator positions and authorizes $135 million annually for library-based and community-based navigator programs. It updates definitions to include digital and information literacy skills as essential components of adult education. The bill directly affects adult education providers, workforce development systems, and individuals seeking to improve their job skills or educational opportunities.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Libraries Workforce Development

in committee · United States · Senate Apr 9, 2025

S 1400: Adult Education WORKS Act

The Adult Education WORKS Act creates a new role for "college and career navigators" who help adults access workforce development programs, postsecondary education, and career services. It requires states and local workforce boards to promote the employment of these navigators in one-stop centers, with $135 million authorized for library-based and community-based programs starting in 2026. The bill emphasizes developing digital literacy and information literacy skills as core components of adult education, and includes new performance metrics to track outcomes related to these skills. This legislation directly affects adult education programs, workforce development systems, and the individuals seeking career advancement through these services.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Technology

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Libraries Workforce Development

in committee · United States · House Jul 22, 2025

HR 4588: Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025

This bill establishes two grant programs to support construction and manufacturing apprenticeship colleges. It provides up to $500,000 per college for community outreach (e.g., connecting with high schools, rural businesses, and workforce boards) and student support services (e.g., academic advising, mental health resources, childcare). The grants target increasing enrollment and completion rates for underrepresented groups, including rural students, first-generation college students, and minorities. Funding of $5 million annually (2026-2030) requires colleges to report on program outcomes like retention rates and diversity metrics. The law directly affects apprenticeship colleges offering work-based training in construction and manufacturing fields.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Higher Education Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships Workforce Development

in committee · United States · House Jun 6, 2025

HR 3611: Veterans Skilled Trades Transition Act

HR 3611, the Veterans Skilled Trades Transition Act, requires the Department of Defense, in collaboration with the Departments of Veterans Affairs and Labor, to submit a report to Congress within 180 days of enactment. The report must assess how many veterans successfully transfer military-acquired credentials (like those for airplane mechanics) into civilian jobs, identify commonly used certifications, and analyze barriers to state-level credential recognition. This bill focuses on gathering data to better understand the effectiveness of current programs supporting veterans transitioning to skilled trades careers, without creating new benefits or changing existing laws. It directly affects veterans seeking to use military training in civilian skilled trades roles.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment ✓ Veterans

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development Veteran Education Veteran Employment Veteran Healthcare

in committee · United States · House Sep 16, 2025

HR 5370: To provide low-income individuals with opportunities to enter and follow a career pathway in the health professions, and for other purposes.

The Pathways to Health Careers Act creates federal grants to help low-income individuals (with family income up to 200% of the Federal poverty level) enter health profession careers. It funds training programs that include adult basic education, career coaching, child care, transportation, and legal assistance for people with arrest or conviction records. The bill specifically supports two demonstration projects: one helping individuals with criminal records enter health careers, and another focused on training doulas and midwives for pregnancy, birth, and postpartum care. Programs must provide structured career pathways to recognized health profession credentials and include support services like case management. The bill requires evaluations to assess effectiveness in addressing workforce shortages and improving participant outcomes.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Workforce Development

in committee · United States · House Jul 21, 2025

HR 4575: Jobs in the Woods Act

The Jobs in the Woods Act establishes a federal grant program to fund career training in forestry operations and products industries. It provides competitive grants (ranging from $500,000 to $2 million over up to 4 years) to eligible entities like nonprofits, states, tribes, or community colleges in targeted rural areas. These areas must be nonmetropolitan low-income communities, have broadband access, or have populations under 50,000. Grants require applicants to demonstrate regional need, plan for program sustainability, partner with schools, and address aging workforces or youth migration. The program is funded at $10 million annually from 2026 through 2030.

Topics ✓ Education ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships Child Labor Workforce Development Tags Rural Communities

in committee · United States · Senate Feb 10, 2025

S 500: CAREER Act of 2025

This bill reauthorizes and updates the CAREER Act, focusing on supporting individuals with substance use disorders through employment and recovery services. It increases annual funding for treatment, recovery, and workforce support grants from $5 million to $12 million (2026-2030), prioritizing areas with the highest 2018-2022 drug overdose deaths, unemployment, and low job market participation. The bill allows up to 5% of grant funds for transportation to work, job training, or recovery services, and extends the Recovery Housing Pilot Program through 2030. It directly affects communities and individuals impacted by substance use disorders by linking federal funding to measurable local needs.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse Unemployment Workforce Development

in committee · United States · House Jun 17, 2025

HR 4052: Employment Abundance Act

HR 4052, the Employment Abundance Act, requires federal contractors and executive agencies to review job classifications that mandate bachelor’s degrees or higher. It mandates they determine if such educational requirements are demonstrably necessary for job performance, and if not, replace them with alternatives like work experience, certifications, or skills assessments. Federal contractors must report findings and revision plans to the Federal Acquisition Regulatory Council, while agencies report to the Office of Personnel Management. Non-compliance could lead to loss of federal contracts for contractors or administrative actions for agencies. The bill applies to new contracts and appointments after regulations take effect.

Topics ✓ Labor & Employment

Sub-Topics Workforce Development

All labor & employment bills