Labor & Employment (Apprenticeships)

in committee · United States · House Jun 2, 2026

HR 9097: American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act of 2026

The American Manufacturing Revitalization Exchange Program Act of 2026 establishes a new international exchange program designed to address skilled labor shortages in the U.S. manufacturing sector by sending American workers to allied nations for training. Administered by the Assistant Secretary for Educational and Cultural Affairs within the Department of State, the program will select up to 10 participants annually who must be U.S. citizens with prior apprenticeship or higher education experience in manufacturing fields. These selected individuals will travel to allied countries for up to 12 months to gain hands-on expertise in strategic industries such as robotics, semiconductors, and aerospace, while also serving as cultural ambassadors. Upon returning to the United States, participants are expected to share their newly acquired skills and knowledge with domestic employers and training institutions, and the program will conclude two years after its enactment.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill addresses skilled labor shortages by funding an international training program to expand the U.S. manufacturing workforce.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Jun 24, 2026

HR 9438: SKILL Act

The SKILL Act creates a new tax credit for employers who partner with public colleges and community colleges to develop short-term training programs lasting two years or less. To qualify, employers must be certified by their state agency for contributing to these programs through activities like co-designing curricula, offering apprenticeships, or donating equipment. The credit allows eligible businesses to claim up to $2,500 per student who earns a credential or is hired full-time after completing the program, with a total national spending cap of $500 million per year from 2027 to 2031. State agencies will distribute the available funds to employers on a competitive basis, and the law takes effect for tax years ending after December 31, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a tax credit for employers partnering with colleges, providing fiscal relief to businesses and encouraging workforce development.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationThe bill creates tax credits to incentivize employer partnerships in short-term training, expanding educational access and workforce development opportunities.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax credits for employer training programs, enhancing workforce skills and employment opportunities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Government Spending Tax Credits Tax Incentives Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Apr 30, 2026

HR 8624: WAGES Act of 2026

The WAGES Act of 2026 creates a new tax credit to encourage employers to hire and train workers through registered apprenticeship programs. Eligible businesses can claim a credit equal to 50% of qualified wages and program expenses for each apprentice, with specific caps on the amount that can be claimed per quarter. The bill also clarifies that certain awards given to apprentices, such as those for completing training milestones, are treated as non-taxable employee achievement awards rather than taxable income. These changes are designed to provide financial incentives for companies to invest in on-the-job training while expanding career pathways for workers without four-year degrees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill creates a new tax credit to encourage apprenticeship programs, providing fiscal relief to businesses and promoting workforce development.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates tax credits to encourage hiring and training workers via apprenticeships, directly strengthening employment standards and workforce development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Tax Incentives Apprenticeships Labor Standards Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · House Jun 3, 2026

HR 9121: Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act of 2026

The Manufacturing Jobs for Veterans Act of 2026 establishes a pilot program to help veterans secure employment in the manufacturing sector through a competitive grant system. The Department of Labor will award funds to three states that demonstrate a strong manufacturing industry and a sufficient veteran population to administer these grants. Recipient states will then distribute money to specific manufacturers and labor groups to cover the costs of specialized training, apprenticeships, and on-the-job programs that lead to recognized credentials. To qualify for funding, employers must agree to pay veterans a rate comparable to similar non-veteran positions and provide regular reports on their progress. The program is authorized for five years with a total funding limit of $50 million, and the Department of Labor must submit an annual evaluation to Congress.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes a grant program to fund veteran training and apprenticeships in manufacturing, directly advancing employment opportunities and workforce development.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes a grant program to fund veteran employment training and apprenticeships in manufacturing.95% confidence

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

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in committee · United States · House May 29, 2026

HR 9052: Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2026

The Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2026 directs the Small Business Administration to help small businesses create and improve training programs for their employees. This bill requires the agency to share information from the Department of Labor and other federal sources on setting up work-based learning, registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and job training initiatives. By amending the Small Business Act, the legislation aims to strengthen the workforce development resources available to small business owners.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill strengthens workforce development by funding training programs and apprenticeships for small business employees.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development Tags Small Business

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in committee · United States · Senate May 20, 2026

S 4611: Job Corps Shipbuilding-Defense Industrial Base Pipeline Act of 2026

The Job Corps Shipbuilding-Defense Industrial Base Pipeline Act of 2026 aims to connect Job Corps training programs with the needs of the defense industry by allowing centers to adjust their courses and locations to match local shipbuilding and manufacturing requirements. It requires military recruiters to inform applicants who cannot enlist immediately about Job Corps as an alternative path to gain necessary skills. The bill also permits Job Corps centers to accept external grants and donations for specific purposes while restricting how those funds can be used, and it streamlines enrollment for veterans and military recruits by waiving certain background checks for those recently separated or who failed enlistment requirements.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands vocational education access by aligning Job Corps training with defense industry needs and promoting alternative career paths.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill expands vocational training and workforce development to meet defense industry needs, enhancing worker skills and employment opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Apprenticeships

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in committee · United States · Senate May 20, 2026

S 4578: Gateway to Careers Act of 2026

The Gateway to Careers Act of 2026 creates a new grant program to help states fund partnerships between workforce agencies, schools, and employers designed to guide individuals through specific career paths. These partnerships will receive federal funding to develop programs that connect education and training with in-demand jobs, while also providing essential support services like childcare, transportation, and mental health care to help participants complete their training. The bill prioritizes partnerships involving community colleges and those serving people facing barriers to employment, requiring applicants to use evidence-based strategies to improve student outcomes. To ensure accountability, the program mandates regular reporting on participant progress, job placement rates, and earnings, with a portion of funds reserved for independent evaluations of the initiative's effectiveness.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates a new grant program to fund partnerships between schools and employers, expanding educational access and career training support services.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds mental health care support services for training participants, directly advancing healthcare access.80% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill creates grants to fund partnerships connecting education with in-demand jobs and provides essential support services like childcare and transportation to help workers complete training.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill provides federal funding for essential support services including transportation to help individuals complete training.70% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Early Childhood Student Financial Aid Mental Health Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 23, 2026

S 4382: Workforce Data Enhancement Act

The Workforce Data Enhancement Act creates a new grant program to help states improve their workforce data systems by integrating information from education, labor markets, and other sources. Eligible entities, such as state agencies or groups of states, can apply for funding to build or upgrade statewide longitudinal data systems that track individual employment and earnings outcomes over time. The bill prioritizes grants for multi-state collaborations and projects that enhance data accuracy, privacy, and the ability to identify emerging job skills, including those related to artificial intelligence. Funds awarded for up to three years must be used to supplement existing state efforts rather than replace them, and recipients are required to report on how the data improvements help workers and employers make better decisions.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill creates grants to improve workforce data systems by integrating education information, enhancing data accuracy and tracking outcomes.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill funds state workforce data systems to better track employment outcomes, enhancing labor market information and worker support.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyBill funds the creation and improvement of workforce data systems, directly advancing technology infrastructure for data tracking and analysis.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Career & Technical Education Student Financial Aid Apprenticeships Labor Standards Workforce Development Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 30, 2026

S 4463: WAGES Act of 2026

The WAGES Act of 2026 introduces a new federal tax credit to encourage employers to hire and train workers through registered apprenticeship programs. This financial incentive allows eligible businesses to claim a credit equal to 50 percent of qualified wages and program expenses, with specific caps on the amount that can be claimed per quarter. The bill also modifies tax rules regarding apprenticeship awards, allowing certain items given to apprentices to be treated as non-taxable employee achievement awards rather than taxable income. These changes are designed to reduce the financial burden on companies investing in workforce development while providing a clear pathway for apprentices to gain skills and credentials.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill introduces a federal tax credit to fund apprenticeship programs, directly advancing fiscal incentives for workforce development.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill provides tax credits to encourage hiring and training via apprenticeships, directly strengthening employment standards and worker development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Tax Credits Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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in committee · United States · Senate Apr 28, 2026

S 4409: START Act

The START Act streamlines the process for registering apprenticeship programs by requiring the Department of Labor to review submitted program standards within 90 days and providing faster, 30-day feedback for incomplete submissions. It establishes a new grant program that provides federal funding to states based on their population and the number of apprentices, with states required to match these funds to support training, technical assistance, and outreach efforts. The legislation also mandates greater transparency by requiring state agencies to publicly post their reciprocity rules, apprenticeship standards, and their average response times to program applications. Additionally, the bill clarifies that state apprenticeship councils do not have final decision-making authority over program registrations, shifting that power to the federal Secretary of Labor or designated state agencies.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill streamlines apprenticeship registration and provides federal funding to expand training and workforce development.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Apprenticeships Workforce Development

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