Bipartisan Bill Aims to Update Old Apprenticeship Law

Construction Dive

Senators Tammy Baldwin, D-W.I., and Lisa Murkowski, R-A.R., introduced legislation July 10 aimed at modernizing the National Apprenticeship Act, providing funds for employers to craft apprenticeship programs in new industries and to improve access to childcare, eldercare and other “wrap-around” services.

The legislation would update the National Apprenticeship Act of 1937, encouraging employers to create apprenticeships in construction, manufacturing, cybersecurity, clean energy and other in-demand industries. It also seeks to streamline the application process and encourage employers to develop sector partnerships to build career pathways.

"To grow our economy, expand the middle class, and meet businesses’ workforce demands, we need to ensure workers have access to the training and skills to land good-paying jobs. And apprenticeship programs are a time-tested way of doing just that,” Baldwin said in a statement.

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