[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 2028 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
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119th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 2028
To authorize funding to expand and support enrollment at institutions
of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-
oriented registered apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
June 11, 2025
Ms. Smith (for herself, Mr. Daines, and Ms. Klobuchar) introduced the
following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize funding to expand and support enrollment at institutions
of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-
oriented registered apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges
Act of 2025''.
SEC. 2. COMMUNITY OUTREACH GRANT PROGRAM.
(a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated under subsection
(f), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall
provide grants to eligible entities for the purposes of expanding or
supporting potential student and employer outreach carried out by such
entities with respect to the construction and manufacturing-oriented
registered apprenticeship programs offered by such entities.
(b) Amounts.--The total grant amount made to an eligible entity
under this section may not exceed $500,000.
(c) Use of Grants.--An eligible entity that receives a grant under
this section shall use such grant for the outreach described in
subsection (a), which shall include the following:
(1) Outreach to high schools, for the purpose of educating
students, parents, guardians, and faculty on the benefits of
enrolling students in the construction and manufacturing-
oriented registered apprenticeship program offered by the
eligible entity.
(2) Outreach to local businesses and other potential
employers for the purpose of educating such employers on the
benefits of supporting and hiring graduates of such program,
which shall--
(A) primarily target relationship building with
potential employers in rural, exurban, and suburban
areas; and
(B) seek to maximize the number of students who
work in such areas after completing such program.
(3) Outreach to local workforce development boards and
apprenticeship intermediaries for the purpose of reaching
nontraditional student populations and prioritizing local
needs.
(d) Application Requirements.--An eligible entity seeking a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
(e) Priority.--In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary
shall give priority to eligible entities that demonstrate outreach
efforts targeted at increasing program enrollment for rural students,
first generation college students, minority students, and
nontraditional students, or other students from underrepresented
population.
(f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this section for each of the
fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
SEC. 3. STUDENT SUPPORT GRANT PROGRAM FOR EXPANDED ACADEMIC ADVISING.
(a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated under subsection
(g), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall
provide grants to eligible entities for the activities described in
subsection (d).
(b) Amounts.--The total grant amount made to an eligible entity
under this section may not exceed $500,000.
(c) Multiple Grants Permitted.--An eligible entity may receive a
grant under sections 2 and 3.
(d) Use of Grants.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section shall use such grant for advising and
support services to enrollees of construction and
manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs
offered by such entity to increase retention, persistence, and
completion for students.
(2) Requirements.--Such advising and support services shall
include the following:
(A) Expanding academic advising programs that
provide services to students, including--
(i) career advising and professional
development;
(ii) support for English as a second
language students;
(iii) information and resource systems;
(iv) mentoring systems; or
(v) other similar advising activities that
support enrollment, retention, persistence, and
completion.
(B) Expanding student support programs that provide
services to students, including--
(i) health and family-related services,
including substance abuse disorder and mental
health counseling;
(ii) support for first generation college
students;
(iii) childcare support; or
(iv) other similar support activities.
(e) Application Requirements.--An eligible entity seeking a grant
under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary
may require.
(f) Report.--
(1) In general.--An eligible entity that receives a grant
under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report on--
(A) the activities supported by the grant;
(B) the number of students participating in the
activities supported by the grant;
(C) the percentage of students participating in the
activities supported by the grant who are high school
students;
(D) the progress made in achieving the goals of the
program supported by the grant, in general, and
measuring in particular--
(i) the effectiveness of the grant in
expanding overall enrollment and program and
registered apprenticeship program completion
rates and certification;
(ii) the effectiveness of the grant in
expanding enrollment and program completion
rates for underrepresented populations; and
(iii) any progress made towards the type of
indicators of performance as described in
section 116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce
Innovation and Opportunity (29 U.S.C.
3141(b)(2)(A)); and
(E) such other information as the Secretary
determines to be appropriate.
(2) Timeline for submission of report.--The report under
paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the Secretary not later
than 180 days after the date on which the eligible entity
concludes the activities supported by the grant under this
section.
(g) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of the
fiscal years 2026 through 2030.
SEC. 4. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship
college.--The term ``construction and manufacturing-oriented
apprenticeship college'' means an institution of higher
education that is a sponsor of a construction and
manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program.
(2) Construction and manufacturing-oriented registered
apprenticeship program.--The term ``construction and
manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program''
means a registered apprenticeship program that--
(A) provides coursework and training in preparation
for employment in the construction or manufactory
industry (such as employment as a painter, drywall
finisher, glazier, or glassworker);
(B)(i) leads to a recognized postsecondary
credential other than a certificate of completion of an
apprenticeship; or
(ii) awards credits that can be applied toward a
recognized postsecondary credential at least at the
institution that sponsors the program; and
(C) is accredited by a nationally recognized
accrediting agency or association recognized by the
Secretary pursuant to part H of title IV of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1099a et seq.).
(3) Eligible entity.--The term ``eligible entity'' means a
construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college.
(4) First generation college student.--The term ``first
generation college student'' has the meaning given the term in
section 402A(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1070a-11(h)).
(5) High school.--The term ``high school'' has the meaning
given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).
(6) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
(7) Outreach.--The term ``outreach'' means communications
and relationship-building opportunities undertaken by an
eligible entity.
(8) Recognized postsecondary credential.--The term
``recognized postsecondary credential'' has the meaning given
the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3102).
(9) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term
``registered apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship
program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly
known as the ``National Apprenticeship Act''; 50 Stat. 664,
chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.).
(10) Second language.--The term ``second language'' means
any language other than English, including Braille and American
Sign Language.
(11) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Education.
(12) Underrepresented population.--The term
``underrepresented population'' means an individual who is from
a group whose gender, ethnic background, or national origin is
not traditionally represented in registered apprenticeship
programs.
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