To amend the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly referred to as the National Apprenticeship Act), to expand the national apprenticeship system to include apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships registered under such Act and to promote the furtherance of labor standards necessary to safeguard the welfare of apprentices, and for other purposes.
About This Bill
Committee
Latest Action · June 22, 2023
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
# National Apprenticeship Act of 2023 Summary
This bill modernizes and expands the federal apprenticeship system to include three program types: apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships (for high school students), and pre-apprenticeships (for individuals not yet ready for full apprenticeships). The legislation takes effect October 1, 2024.
**Key Changes and Structure:**
The bill establishes an Office of Apprenticeship within the Department of Labor to oversee a national system. States can apply to become State Apprenticeship Agencies with four-year recognition periods, or the federal government will operate State Offices of Apprenticeship in non-participating states. A National Advisory Committee with representatives from employers, labor unions, educators, and other stakeholders will advise on policy.
**Program Standards:**
All three program types must meet quality standards including organized training plans, related classroom instruction (at least 144 hours annually for apprenticeships), progressively increasing wages, and demonstrated competency. Programs may be time-based (minimum 2,000 hours), competency-based, or hybrid models. Programs must promote diversity and equal opportunity, particularly targeting underrepresented populations including women, minorities, people with disabilities, and formerly incarcerated individuals.
**Funding and Grants:**
The bill authorizes $75 million to $115 million annually (fiscal years 2025-2029) for state apprenticeship agencies and $350 million to $750 million annually for competitive grants to expand apprenticeship programs, particularly in high-demand fields like advanced manufacturing, clean energy, healthcare, and technology. It reserves $40 million annually for rural apprenticeship programs. Grant recipients must match 25 percent of federal funds with non-federal resources.
**Who Benefits:**
Workers seeking skilled trades and career advancement; employers needing trained workers; educators integrating apprenticeships into high school curricula; underrepresented groups gaining access to well-paying jobs; and rural communities gaining apprenticeship opportunities.
Take Action
Your position
Add a comment
to comment on this bill.
Annotate the text
Highlight any passage on the Summary or Full Text tab to attach a note. Annotations appear on the Annotations tab.