This bill creates a federal grant program to help States pay for pre-apprenticeships and related instruction tied to certain apprenticeship programs. A "qualified apprenticeship" is one registered under the National Apprenticeship Act and focused in industry areas that make up less than 10 percent of apprenticeable occupations or programs under the national apprenticeship system. "Pre-apprenticeship" must be run by an eligible sponsor with a documented partnership with an apprenticeship sponsor and include: industry-aligned training, hands-on and classroom instruction (done safely and not replacing paid employees), and a formal agreement that can lead successful participants directly into the apprenticeship program and may allow for postsecondary credit. The Secretary of Labor may award competitive grants to States. A joint team from the Departments of Labor and Education reviews applications. Grant funds may pay tuition, fees, textbooks, equipment, curriculum development, and other items a State finds necessary. States may use up to 10 percent of grant funds for administrative costs. The federal share of grant costs must be between 20 percent and 50 percent, and States supply the remainder in cash or in-kind. The Secretary must set performance measures, create an evaluation system, identify in-demand occupations that lack apprenticeships, and report results to Congress. The bill authorizes $15,000,000 per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031.
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