U.S. House advances apprenticeship bill

The U.S. House of Representatives recently passed The National Apprenticeship Act of 2020, reauthorizing nationally registered apprenticeship programs and expanding access to high-quality apprenticeships.

The bill includes an amendment from U.S. Reps. Conor Lamb (D-PA) and Van Taylor (R-TX) to include veterans in the national apprenticeship system. By including veterans as one of the demographic identifiers that the programs track, providers can better ensure veterans access education benefits.

Under the amendment, veteran service organizations would help raise awareness of and promote apprenticeship opportunities.

“Apprenticeships connect workers with good jobs in my district,” Lamb said. “My bipartisan amendment requires that the bill includes veterans to ensure that they can take advantage of apprenticeships. This legislation will immediately help people who lost jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic.”

The act authorizes the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) to award grants to education and training providers, local workforce development boards, state workforce agencies, labor unions, and other eligible groups to increase registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships.

According to the DOL, apprenticeships are a small fraction of the workforce, but 94 percent of people who complete registered apprenticeship programs become employed upon completion.

Numerous organizations support the bill, including the Union Veterans Council.