Jobs, On-the-Job Earn-While-You-Learn Training, and Apprenticeships for Young African-Americans Act

Summary

Creates a new Diversity and Inclusion Administrator position in the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship to increase African American and other underrepresented groups’ participation in registered apprenticeship programs. The bill requires apprenticeship registration and renewal applicants to submit plans to boost African American participation, establishes competitive grants to expand diverse apprenticeships across traditional and nontraditional industries, defines eligible entities and key terms, requires grantee reporting on participant and outcome metrics, sets an April 22, 2026 effective date, and authorizes $2M–$5M annually for FY2026–FY2029 to carry out the law.

• Creates a Diversity and Inclusion Administrator in the DOL Office of Apprenticeship to lead efforts to increase apprenticeship diversity.
• Requires all new apprenticeship registration and renewals to include a plan to raise African American participation.
• Establishes a competitive grant program to expand diverse apprenticeships across traditional and nontraditional industries.
• Defines eligible grantees broadly, including sponsors, State agencies, educational institutions, Tribes, labor organizations, and community groups.
• Mandates conclusion-of-grant reports with specific participant, completion, employment, time, and cost metrics.
• Provides statutory definitions for nontraditional populations and industries to guide targeting and eligibility.
• Sets an effective date of April 22, 2026 and authorizes $2M–$5M per year for FY2026–FY2029.
• Places emphasis on African American participation while allowing support for other underrepresented groups.