Sponsors (42)
The bill aims to expand and diversify apprenticeship pipelines—especially for racial and ethnic minorities and young adults—by funding outreach, supports, and clearer eligibility, but it increases administrative and compliance burdens, raises legal and political risks from targeted provisions, and relies on modest, discretionary federal funding that may be uncertain.
Racial and ethnic minority individuals (especially young adults) gain substantially expanded access to registered apprenticeships and targeted outreach, increasing paid training and job pathways.
Workers and job-seekers (including in nontraditional sectors) can access more apprenticeship slots and pathways into high‑demand industries (construction, IT, healthcare, cybersecurity) as employers and new industries develop apprenticeship programs.
Participants (especially low‑income trainees and students) receive wraparound supports—mentoring, financial planning, and supportive services—that improve apprenticeship completion and placement outcomes.
Employers, apprenticeship sponsors, grantees, and state/local agencies face increased administrative, reporting, and compliance burdens that could divert time and funds away from direct services and hiring.
The law's targeted racial focus (requirements aimed specifically at increasing African American participation and racial/ethnic outreach) could prompt legal or political challenges and perceptions of unfairness, delaying implementation or reducing participation in some jurisdictions.
Authorized funding is modest ($14M over four years) and subject to appropriation; taxpayers would bear those costs if funded, but appropriation uncertainty could leave programs under-resourced or delayed.
Based on analysis of 8 sections of legislative text.
Creates a DOL Diversity and Inclusion Administrator, requires apprenticeship registration/renewal plans to boost African American participation, and funds competitive grants to expand diverse apprenticeships.
Introduced December 15, 2025 by David Scott · Last progress December 15, 2025
Creates a new Diversity and Inclusion Administrator position at the Department of Labor’s Office of Apprenticeship, requires entities registering or renewing registered apprenticeship programs to submit plans to increase African American participation, and establishes a competitive grant program to expand diversity in apprenticeship programs across traditional and nontraditional industries. The bill sets reporting requirements for grant recipients, defines eligible applicants and key terms, takes effect April 22, 2026, and authorizes $2M–$5M per year for FY2026–FY2029 to carry out the law.