U.S. Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) this week proposed a bipartisan bill that would invest more than $3.8 billion over five years to expand the national apprenticeship system and create nearly one million new registered apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship, and pre-apprenticeship opportunities.
“Apprenticeship programs create the opportunity to grow our economy, prepare workers for in-demand careers, and address the trained workforce shortage,” Rep. Fitzpatrick said on Tuesday.
The congressman on April 25 signed on as the lead original cosponsor of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2023, H.R. 2851, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA) and 33 fellow original cosponsors to help scale up apprenticeship opportunities, streamline access to apprenticeships for both workers and employers, and expand apprenticeships into new and in-demand industry sectors and occupations, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Fitzpatrick’s office.
“I am proud to lead a bipartisan coalition introducing the National Apprenticeship Act, which will provide much needed reinforcement and reauthorization of our registered apprenticeship programs and will aim to create one million new apprentice positions in the next five years,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick.
Among the members who joined Rep. Fitzpatrick in cosponsoring H.R. 2851 were U.S. Reps. Don Bacon (R-NE), Mike Bost (R-IL), Andrew Garbarino (R-NY), and Bill Johnson (R-OH).
If enacted, H.R. 2851 would modernize the national apprenticeship system; promote programs under the system; set quality standards; authorize appropriations; set program evaluation guidelines; and establish grant requirements, uses of funds, and evaluations, among numerous other provisions, according to the text of the 179-page bill.
“The registered apprenticeship system is one of the best tools we have to connect workers with in-demand skills with good-paying jobs, as well as provide employers with a pipeline of talented workers,” said Rep. Scott. “The National Apprenticeship Act of 2023 is a clear win-win for workers and employers, and it will help grow the economy. I look forward to working with Congressman Fitzpatrick to finally deliver this long overdue investment for workers, for businesses, and for our economy.”
North America’s Building Trades Unions endorsed H.R. 2851, which has been referred for consideration to both the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee and the U.S. House Judiciary Committee.