The Leveraging Educational Opportunity Networks Act directs the U.S. Department of Labor to award competitive grants totaling $30 million annually (fiscal years 2026-2029) to nonprofit organizations and training networks to develop workforce training programs. These grants support 12-week or longer career and technical education programs that provide living wages to participants and result in recognized post-secondary credentials in high-demand fields like construction, manufacturing, healthcare, and information technology. At least 70 percent of grant funds must go directly toward program development and need-based stipends for enrollees, with programs prioritizing individuals who are formerly incarcerated, low-income, economically disadvantaged, or read below a 6th-grade level. The bill aims to address labor shortages and break cycles of poverty by connecting workers—particularly those without bachelor's degrees—to skills-based employment opportunities with employer partners who offer career advancement, while grantees must track participants' earnings and employment outcomes annually.
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.