Sponsor
Adam Smith
Representative · D-WA
The bill increases financial and credentialing supports and accountability for pre-apprenticeship participants to improve entry into apprenticeships and jobs, while raising fiscal costs, imposing reporting burdens on small providers, and leaving some non-covered needs (like childcare) unaddressed.
Participants who complete pre-apprenticeships (students, unemployed workers) are more likely to enroll in registered apprenticeships or gain industry employment within 12 months, improving near-term job prospects and earnings potential.
Low-income individuals, unemployed workers, and people with disabilities will be able to receive stipends that cover transportation, lost wages, and certification costs while enrolled in pre-apprenticeship programs, reducing immediate financial barriers to participation.
Participants (students, low-income individuals) can have certification costs covered, helping them obtain recognized credentials that boost long-term earnings and career advancement.
Low-income participants may still lack supports such as childcare, housing, or supplies because stipends are limited to transportation, lost wages, and certification costs, which could reduce access or completion for those with broader needs.
Small providers and community organizations may face increased administrative burden from required data collection, performance metrics, and reporting, which could discourage participation and reduce the number of local providers.
Taxpayers may face increased federal spending because the program authorizes 'such sums as may be necessary' to fund grants, creating additional fiscal cost.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Representative · D-WA
Authorizes Labor Department grants to provide stipends for pre-apprenticeship participants for transportation, lost wages, and certification costs, with performance reporting requirements.
Authorizes the Labor Secretary to award grants to eligible organizations to provide stipends to people enrolled in pre-apprenticeship programs to help with transportation, lost wages from reduced work hours, and costs to earn industry credentials. Grantees must set performance indicators (like entry into a registered apprenticeship or industry employment within 12 months), collect and report participant and stipend data annually, prioritize people with barriers to employment, and submit reports to the Department and Congress; funding is authorized as "such sums as may be necessary."
Official title: To direct the Secretary of Labor to make grants to eligible applicants to provide stipends to individuals enrolled in a pre-apprenticeship program, and for other purposes.
Introduced October 21, 2025 by Adam Smith · Last progress October 21, 2025