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.
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.
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 5493, the USA Workforce Investment Act, creates a federal tax credit for individual taxpayers who donate cash to approved workforce development or apprenticeship training programs. It directly affects U.S. individual taxpayers who contribute to qualifying 501(c)(3) organizations listed under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. The bill allows a credit of up to $1,700 per year for such donations, with adjustments for state tax credits and a prohibition on double-deducting the same contribution. Unused credit can be carried forward for up to five years.
Jobs Now Act of 2025 This bill directs the Department of Labor to conduct a two-year pilot program to award grants to general local governmental units or community-based organizations to retain, employ, or train individuals for positions that provide a public service. At least 50% of grant funds must be used to retain employees who would otherwise be laid off due to budget cuts. Labor must encourage grantees to use grant funds to retain, employ, or train veterans, individuals with disabilities, individuals receiving unemployment benefits, or dislocated workers.
The BUILDS Act establishes competitive federal grants to fund industry partnerships in infrastructure sectors like energy (including clean energy), construction, transportation, information technology, and utilities. It directly affects workers in these industries, particularly those facing employment barriers (such as individuals receiving food assistance or unemployment benefits), by requiring partnerships to develop paid on-the-job training programs, align education with industry needs, and provide support services like childcare and mentorship. Key mechanisms include $2.5 million grants for new partnerships (up to $1.5 million for renewals) to cover planning, business engagement, and 12-month support services for participants. The bill mandates partnerships to recruit diverse workers, address employment barriers through labor market analysis, and align training with nationally portable credentials. It authorizes $500 million annually for fiscal years 2026-2030 to implement these workforce development activities.
This bill creates a new tax credit for small businesses to support workforce training. It allows eligible small businesses to claim a credit equal to 50% of qualified wages paid to employees under 21 or enrolled in approved apprenticeships, community college programs, or career training related to the business, plus qualified workmen’s compensation expenses, capped at $10,000 per year. The credit applies to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and is designed to directly benefit small businesses seeking to train young workers through structured educational programs. It does not change existing labor laws but provides a financial incentive to invest in employee development.
HR 5806, the Pre-Apprenticeship Wrap-around Support Services Fund Act of 2025, provides federal grants to organizations running pre-apprenticeship programs to offer stipends directly to participants. These stipends cover specific costs like transportation, lost wages from reduced work hours, and industry certification fees, primarily targeting individuals facing employment barriers. The bill requires grantees to track key outcomes - such as program completion rates, job placement in relevant industries, and earnings - within 12 months of program completion. It applies to pre-apprenticeship programs aligned with registered apprenticeships and mandates annual reporting to Congress on program effectiveness. The goal is to reduce financial barriers to entering skilled trades through structured support.
The American Apprenticeship Act (HR 1783) provides federal grants to states to fund pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare individuals for registered apprenticeships in industries with low apprenticeship participation (less than 10% of available roles). States must apply with detailed plans for partnering with employers, aligning with existing workforce laws, and prioritizing underserved groups like minorities, veterans, and people with disabilities. Grants cover tuition, materials, and related instruction costs for these preparatory programs, with federal funding covering 20-50% of costs, and $15 million authorized annually for 2026-2031. The bill directly affects state workforce agencies, community organizations running pre-apprenticeship programs, and workers entering targeted sectors like healthcare and advanced manufacturing.
The Lifelong Learning Act amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to increase funding for worker training programs. It raises the percentage of funds reserved for incumbent worker training from 20% to 30% and for transitional jobs from 10% to 15%. States must now report on training program outcomes to help adjust performance standards, and local workforce boards may operate as one-stop centers if they meet conflict-of-interest requirements. These changes directly affect state workforce programs, local boards, and workers seeking training or transitional employment.
