The Investing in Tomorrow's Workforce Act of 2026 provides federal grants to support training programs for workers at risk of losing jobs due to automation, with priority given to women, people of color, and lower-wage workers (those earning less than $40,000 annually). The bill authorizes funding for eligible partnerships to develop demonstration projects that help dislocated workers transition into in-demand technology sectors through skills training, job placement assistance, and employer partnerships. It expands existing workforce training programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to specifically address automation-related job displacement and requires grantees to report on outcomes including job placements, earnings data, and demographic breakdowns. The legislation is authorized for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 with funding for both new demonstration projects and expanded existing training services.
The STEM RESTART Act creates a new federal grant program to help mid-career workers (unemployed or underemployed, particularly from rural areas) return to STEM careers through "returnship" programs. It provides funding for small businesses (50-499 employees) to receive $100,000-$1 million annually and medium businesses (500-9,999 employees) to receive $500,000-$5 million annually to develop these programs. The grants require programs to last at least 10 weeks, provide above-entry-level compensation and benefits, and lead to full-time employment with career advancement opportunities. Businesses must report annually on participant demographics and employment outcomes, with the Secretary required to publish best practices based on these reports. The bill authorizes $50 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 to fund these initiatives.
The Workforce Flexibility Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) by removing a specific eligibility requirement for youth programs. It eliminates the "out-of-school priority," which previously limited certain workforce services to youth not enrolled in school. This change directly affects youth programs under WIOA, allowing them to serve a broader group of young people without that prior restriction. The bill makes a technical adjustment to program eligibility rules, not a major policy shift.
The SNAP Next Step Act of 2025 modifies the Food and Nutrition Act to connect SNAP (food stamp) recipients with workforce training. It defines "covered individuals" as SNAP households where members are unemployed/underemployed, not receiving TANF benefits, and not enrolled in state "Employment First" programs. States can now use SNAP administrative funds to run job training programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) for these individuals. Additionally, states must create a free online "employment calculator" on their websites to help SNAP participants compare future earnings with current benefits. This bill directly affects low-income SNAP households seeking employment opportunities.
HR 4825, the COTA Act, amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to improve career guidance for skilled trades. It requires workforce programs to provide students with information about high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand career paths - including construction, healthcare, and technology - and to run public awareness campaigns (like social media ads) about these opportunities. This directly affects community colleges, career centers, and workforce development agencies administering federal job training programs. The bill mandates these new guidance and outreach requirements to help connect students and workers with growing industry needs. It does not change funding levels or create new programs, but updates existing workforce development services.
HR 1434 authorizes $200 million to $240 million annually (2026-2030) to fund summer youth employment programs for participants under 25, primarily targeting high-unemployment and high-crime communities. It provides competitive grants to states, local governments, or nonprofits to create or expand programs that include subsidized jobs (minimum wage, 4+ weeks), mentoring, career counseling, and post-program support - aimed at improving high school graduation, college enrollment, employment, and reducing crime rates. The bill prioritizes programs serving underserved youth (including rural/suburban areas) and requires grantees to implement specific elements like job training, digital literacy, and employer matching. An Advisory Board oversees grant reviews, evaluates program impact, and maintains a database of outcomes to ensure evidence-based improvements.
This bill authorizes $15 million annually (2026-2030) for competitive grants to state agencies to build better data systems for SNAP employment and training programs. It requires states to create longitudinal databases linking SNAP data with education and workforce programs (like WIOA), while protecting participant privacy and ensuring funds supplement - not replace - existing state investments. States must use grants to improve program quality, reduce administrative burden, and enable better coordination across federal workforce initiatives. The bill also mandates annual reports to Congress and a GAO study on implementation effectiveness.
S 3379 (EARLY Benefits for Workers Act) allows states to use up to 20% of their unemployment grant funds (or $3 million) to provide job training and support services to workers *immediately* after they file for unemployment benefits, rather than waiting for later stages of their claim. This directly affects unemployed workers filing initial claims for regular unemployment benefits, enabling faster access to reemployment help. States cannot deny benefits solely because a worker didn’t use these early services during the initial claim period. If a worker later loses eligibility, states keep the grant funds spent on the early services and aren’t penalized for providing them. The bill changes how states administer unemployment grant funds to speed up job support access.
This bill establishes a Diversity and Inclusion Administrator at the Department of Labor to increase African American participation in apprenticeships. It requires all new and renewing registered apprenticeship programs to submit plans boosting African American enrollment and creates competitive grants for programs targeting underserved communities in fields like construction, healthcare, and tech. The grants fund outreach, mentoring, and support services to help African American youth access and complete apprenticeships. The bill directly affects African American young people and apprenticeship programs nationwide, with $2 million authorized for fiscal year 2026.
HR 6137 would create a new separate job code for "direct support professionals" (DSPs) within the federal Standard Occupational Classification system. This change aims to better recognize DSPs - who provide daily support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (like helping with daily living, community participation, and goal-setting) - as distinct from other roles like home health aides. The bill requires the Office of Management and Budget to consider this revision during the next system update, without authorizing new funding. It addresses data gaps caused by high turnover rates (39% nationally) in DSP hiring and retention.
