Workforce of the Future Act

Full Title:
Workforce of the Future Act of 2025

Summary#

This bill directs federal agencies to study how artificial intelligence (AI) is affecting jobs and to support education and training for an AI-era workforce. The Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and Education must produce an interim report within 6 months, a final report within 1 year, and an updated report 3 years after the final report. The reports must identify data needs, industries and occupations likely to see increased AI use, which workers and communities may be most affected, the skills and education needed, and recommendations to expand training and access.

The bill creates two grant programs. The Department of Education will award grants to state and local education agencies, community and technical colleges, minority-serving institutions, labor organizations, and other eligible entities to expand emerging and advanced technology education in schools and postsecondary institutions and to recruit and develop teachers. Education grants run 3–5 years, are split into two equal pools (one for program expansion and one for teacher development), limit equipment purchases to 15 percent of some grants, and allow up to 2.5 percent for national activities like technical assistance and evaluation.

The Department of Labor will award grants to eligible entities, with priority to labor organizations or consortia that include them, to provide training for workers most impacted by AI. Grant recipients must serve people with a high school diploma or equivalent who work in or were recently laid off from industries identified as facing large AI growth. Eligible activities include skills training, certifications, and continuing education to help workers enter or advance in higher-skill, higher-wage jobs. Labor grants also run 3–5 years and allow up to 2.5 percent for national activities.

The bill requires grantees to report at least twice a year with data on individuals served (with specified demographic breakdowns) and authorizes third-party evaluations. It also adds a measure about the existence and student competency in emerging and advanced technology fields to the Education Sciences Reform Act.

What it means for you#

  • Students: Schools and colleges could get new funding to expand access to computer science, AI, and STEAM classes.
  • Teachers: Grants may fund professional development, loan repayment, or tuition reimbursement for teachers of emerging and advanced technology.
  • Workers: Training grants target workers in industries projected to see large AI use and could fund certifications or continuing education to move into in-demand jobs.
  • Eligible organizations: State/local education agencies, community and technical colleges, minority-serving institutions, labor organizations, and workforce agencies can apply for 3–5 year grants.

Expenses#

  • Department of Education: authorizes $160,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 for the education grant program.
  • Department of Labor: authorizes $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 for the workforce training grants.
  • Each agency may reserve up to 2.5 percent of grant funds for national activities (technical assistance, evaluation, dissemination).
  • Not more than 15 percent of certain education grants may be used to purchase equipment.
  • No publicly available information on total long-term cost estimates or official budget scoring beyond the authorization amounts above.

Proponents' View#

The bill's findings and "sense of Congress" state that AI is evolving quickly and could disrupt jobs but also create opportunities. Proponents say it is important to identify data, industries, worker characteristics, and the skills needed to develop and work with AI. They note there are many unfilled computing and technology jobs and that access to quality tech education is uneven, leaving low-income, minority, and rural communities at risk of being left behind. The bill is framed to expand access to technology education, build teacher capacity, and provide training for workers most affected by AI.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.