Sponsors (6)
The bill expands paid, industry-focused training with living wages, credentials, and supports to help low-income and unemployed Americans gain stable employment and boost employer talent pipelines, but it raises federal costs, concentrates resources in larger multi-state programs and short-term credentials, and risks excluding smaller providers or producing uneven program quality unless carefully managed.
Low-income and unemployed individuals (including parents and people reentering from incarceration) gain access to paid, sectoral training that provides a living wage for programs of at least 12 weeks, covered wraparound supports (transportation, childcare, housing stipends), and a recognized postsecondary credential—improving short-term income stability and long-term employability/earnings.
Employers and the broader economy gain a larger pipeline of industry-aligned, credentialed workers—helping fill projected job growth (including STEM and other in-demand fields) and improving job matches.
Federal implementing agencies receive predictable appropriations ($30 million per year for FY2026–FY2029), supporting program continuity, planning, and stable delivery of services funded by the Act.
Taxpayers face increased federal spending—about $120 million across FY2026–FY2029—which could widen the deficit or require offsets/cuts elsewhere.
Mandates such as a required living wage, a 70% spending floor on implementation/stipends, and multi-state scale requirements raise per-program costs and may reduce the number of grants or participants served while prioritizing certain industries over other local labor needs.
Prioritizing sectoral, short-term credential programs risks diverting limited federal training funds away from traditional higher-education pathways or broader education investments that some students need.
Based on analysis of 4 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive DOL grant program to fund multi-state sectoral training that pays a living wage, runs ≥12 weeks, leads to credentials, and funds supportive services.
Introduced June 3, 2025 by Dwight Evans · Last progress June 3, 2025
Creates a competitive federal grant program at the Department of Labor to fund multi-state workforce training and career-technical education programs that pay participants a living wage, run at least 12 weeks, and lead to a recognized postsecondary credential. Grants are awarded to eligible consortia that operate in at least 10 States and may be used for program delivery, need-based stipends, supportive services, employer partnerships, and other activities that connect training to jobs. Requires grantees to report annually on employment and earnings outcomes, prioritizes geographic diversity and certain industry sectors, and defines key terms (including living wage and supportive services). Authorizes $30 million per year for FY2026–FY2029 to carry out the program.