Bresnahan Introduces Legislation to Increase Enrollment in Registered Apprenticeships
WASHINGTON, DC: Yesterday, U.S. Representatives Rob Bresnahan, Jr. (PA-08) and Angie Craig (MN-02) introduced the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act. This bipartisan bill aims to close the skilled trades gap by boosting enrollment in registered apprenticeship programs through greater investment in outreach to students looking to learn a trade and get to work. It will help ensure they are better prepared to meet the growing demand for trained workers in critical industries like construction and manufacturing.
“I have seen firsthand how earn-as-you-learn registered apprenticeship programs help train the next generation of builders, welder, and machinists,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “This bipartisan bill will strengthen our workforce by investing in these institutions, getting more of our students involved. I want to thank Rep. Craig for working with me on this commonsense legislation to better reach our students ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work."
The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act would provide grant funding through the Department of Labor to expand outreach to potential students and employers in need. The bill will also help more individuals succeed in hands-on, career-focused education through strengthening academic advising, tackling common barriers, such as access to childcare, that prevent students from completing their program, and targeted support for first-generation students.
“Apprenticeship colleges provide Minnesotans with the skills they need to land good-paying jobs in the trades, and we've got to make sure every Minnesotan has the resources to access and complete these life-changing apprenticeship programs,” said Rep. Craig. “Our state is strong when our workforce is strong, and that’s why I’m working across the aisle to strengthen the middle class and give more students and employers the hands-on support they need.”
The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act is endorsed by the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT). Senators Steve Daines (MT) and Tina Smith (MN) are leading companion legislation in the Senate.
“Registered apprenticeship programs, like ours, have always been an important step on the path to the middle class and to learning life changing skills,” said IUPAT General President Jim Williams, Jr. “Providing a way to be able to achieve both a skilled trade and an Associate’s Degree benefits workers and communities as a whole. It's why we are so happy to see the reintroduction of the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act and I look forward to this bill advancing through Congress with strong bi-partisan support.”
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