(WASHINGTON, D.C.) - U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar (Democrat-Minnesota) and Susan Collins (Republican-Maine) have introduced bipartisan legislation to expand access to Apprenticeships - the American Apprenticeship Act would provide States with tuition assistance funding to support Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs.

Companion legislation in the House of Representatives is led by Representative Rosa DeLauro (Democrat-Connecticut).

The American Apprenticeship Act would: Award competitive grants to States that have developed effective strategies to diversify, market and scale Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs; Cover costs associated with participating in Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship Programs, including tuition, fees, equipment and other educational materials; and Analyze the use of Apprenticeships for in-demand occupations.

“Apprenticeships provide Americans with valuable on-the-job training and skills to work in high-demand fields,” Klobuchar said. “By providing additional tuition assistance for Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeships, our bipartisan legislation will enable more people to access and benefit from these valuable programs.”

Said Collins: “Small business owners have told me that one of the biggest challenges they face is finding qualified and trained Workers to fill vacant positions. Apprenticeships help address this issue by aligning Employees’ skills with employers’ needs and preparing individuals for a successful future in their chosen field.  During the ongoing workforce shortage, this bipartisan Bill would help fill the gap by expanding access to and lowering the cost of Apprenticeships, allowing more Americans to take advantage of these programs to gain in-demand skills and obtain good-paying jobs.”

Added DeLauro: “People are living paycheck to paycheck - they are in desperate need of a viable pathway to gain and use their skills. The American Apprenticeship Act will help raise wages and reduce Worker turnover by investing in Workers, helping them gain skills to get good-paying jobs. The programs created under the legislation would allow businesses to create a pipeline of skilled Workers, while improving their bottom line and strengthening our global competitiveness - so Workers win, business wins and our economy grows.”

To Directly Access This Labor News Story, Go To: U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Susan Collins Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Expand Access to Apprenticeships

And For More Information, Go To: American Apprenticeship Act (2017; 115th Congress S. 862) - GovTrack.us