The National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, sending it to the Senate for approval. If it becomes law, the Act would invest more than $3.5 billion over the next five years to create nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities. It would also yield a projected $10.6 billion in benefits, including increased tax revenue, boosted employee productivity, and lowered spending on public-assistance programs and unemployment insurance.The new apprenticeship bill would attempt to build upon one of the nation’s most successful job training programs: the Registered Apprenticeship (RA) system, instituted during the Great Depression, a workforce-development program boasting 94% job placement and an average annual starting salary of above $70,000.
- Authorized $800 million over the next five fiscal years to support the creation or expansion of registered apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship programs (for those 16 years or older).
- The scope of the apprenticeship programs would include non-traditional occupations, such as winemaking, tree trimming, painting, and senior care, as well as other high-demand social service-related industries.
- The effort would also include non-traditional populations, such as those formerly incarcerated and individuals with disabilities. The program would focus on small- and medium-sized employers.
- Codify standards for registered apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeship programs, and youth apprenticeships so that they meet common high benchmarks.
- Strengthens connections between the Departments of Education and Labor through an agreement to support the creation and expansion of youth apprenticeships, college consortiums, and data-sharing.