The LEAP Act creates a new $1,500 annual tax credit for employers with registered apprenticeship programs, paid per apprentice employee who exceeds a threshold based on the employer's prior three-year average of such employees (calculated at 80% of that average). The credit applies for up to two years per employee and excludes most construction industry workers unless they completed a pre-apprenticeship program and their employer sponsors an apprenticeship. It also includes a separate provision requiring federal agencies to reduce printing costs by moving documents online, publishing cost transparency data for printed materials, and maintaining essential print access for vulnerable populations. The bill primarily affects employers in qualifying apprenticeship programs, with the tax credit designed to incentivize hiring and training apprentices.
The Digital Skills for Today's Workforce Act establishes a new grant program to expand digital workplace skills training for workers, particularly those with barriers to employment such as low educational attainment, low earnings, or limited English proficiency. The program provides funding to states to award subgrants to eligible entities like community colleges and workforce organizations for training through classroom instruction, apprenticeships, and work-based learning. States must prioritize serving individuals with employment barriers and report on outcomes related to digital skills development. The bill aims to create "digitally resilient" systems and individuals who can adapt to changing technology demands in the workforce. This program is funded through appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
The Opportunities for Success Act of 2025 amends the Higher Education Act to increase funding for work-based learning programs, authorizing $1.5 billion in 2027 and rising to $2.5 billion annually by 2031. The bill requires institutions to allocate at least 7% of work-study funds to compensate students in work-based learning positions and at least 3% to students with "exceptional need" during periods of nonenrollment. It defines "work-based learning" to include internships, fellowships, and apprenticeships, and establishes new metrics for determining which institutions qualify as "improved institutions" for funding allocation. The legislation also mandates new surveys to evaluate program effectiveness and requires institutions to prioritize students with Federal Pell Grants and exceptional need.
This bill requires new demonstration projects for health care training programs to provide foundational skills education and affordable child care support. It mandates assessments of adult basic skills, partner networks for pre-training support, and embedded skill maintenance during training. Participants must receive guaranteed child care access through referrals, direct payments to providers, or coverage of fees. The policy affects lower-skilled individuals entering health professions training and takes effect October 1, 2025.
S 2664, the Skilled Workforce Act, creates a 30% federal tax credit for businesses investing in training facilities that address workforce shortages in high-demand industries like high-tech manufacturing, clean energy, construction, and advanced transportation. The credit applies to eligible institutions (such as community colleges, career schools, and public secondary schools) partnering with businesses to build or upgrade facilities for skills-based training programs. Projects must be certified by Treasury and Commerce, with a total funding cap of $500 million, prioritizing rural schools and those serving underserved communities. The credit cannot be combined with other tax benefits for the same investment and applies to property placed in service after the bill's enactment.
The Skills Investment Act of 2025 renames "Coverdell education savings accounts" to "Coverdell lifelong learning accounts" and expands their use to cover career training and skill development expenses for people aged 16 and older. It allows account funds to be used for training services, career education programs, youth workforce activities, and adult literacy courses, rather than just traditional education. The bill increases the account limit to $10,000 after age 30 (from $2,000), extends the contribution age limit to 70 (from 18), and creates a new 25% tax credit for employers who contribute to these accounts. It also allows beneficiaries aged 18 and older to deduct contributions to these accounts on their tax returns. These changes take effect in 2026, with some provisions applying to contributions made after December 2025.
HR 5807 establishes a new grant program to fund essential support services for individuals enrolled in workforce training programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. Qualified applicants (such as local workforce boards) can receive competitive grants to cover costs like childcare, groceries, and transportation for trainees in specific programs. The bill requires grantees to partner with Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) and SNAP agencies, and limits each grant to $2 million annually. It directly affects trainees facing barriers like childcare needs or food insecurity while participating in approved workforce training activities.
The Investing in American Workers Act creates a new 20% tax credit for employers providing training to non-highly compensated employees (earning below 60% of top compensation levels) that leads to recognized credentials like certificates, degrees, or apprenticeships. Eligible small businesses (with under $5 million in annual revenue) can claim this credit against income taxes or apply it directly to payroll taxes, with a $250,000 annual cap per business. The credit covers costs for training through approved programs including community colleges, registered apprenticeships, and industry partnerships. It becomes effective for taxable years beginning after enactment, aiming to incentivize employer-funded workforce development.
S 2028, the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025, provides federal grants to colleges offering construction and manufacturing apprenticeships to expand student recruitment and support services. It creates two grant programs: (1) community outreach grants (max $500,000 per college) to connect with high schools, employers in rural areas, and workforce boards - prioritizing rural, first-generation, minority, and nontraditional students; and (2) student support grants (max $500,000 per college) for advising, mental health services, childcare, and career development to improve program retention and completion. The bill authorizes $5 million annually (2026-2030) for these programs, targeting colleges that sponsor registered apprenticeships in construction or manufacturing. It directly affects eligible apprenticeship colleges by funding specific activities to grow enrollment and support underrepresented students in these fields.
The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 establishes a federal grant program to fund training programs for residential construction careers at rural community colleges and similar institutions. It prioritizes serving rural communities and underserved populations - including low-income individuals, veterans, and groups with historically low construction industry employment - through competitive grants. Grantees must create or expand training in specific trades (like carpentry, plumbing, and electrical work), form partnerships with construction businesses to ensure fair wages, and offer flexible scheduling and job placement support. The program authorizes $20 million annually from 2025 to 2029 to increase skilled construction workers and support affordable housing development.
