A new federal grant program would be established to support national workforce development efforts under a bipartisan bill cosponsored on May 20 by U.S. Sens. Todd Young (R-IN) and Susan Collins (R-ME).
The lawmakers introduced the Gateway to Careers Act of 2026, S. 4578, with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-NH) to help expand access to workforce training programs, support workers who face barriers to employment, and improve pathways to good-paying jobs in industries facing workforce shortages.
“Our Gateway to Careers Act would help provide working adults and other nontraditional students with more access to vital support services,” said Sen. Young. “Removing barriers that keep individuals from reaching their full potential will help train our workers and grow our economy.”
Additionally, S. 4578 would help employers connect with skilled workers at a time when many businesses face hiring challenges, according to a bill summary provided by the senators.
“Workforce training helps Americans gain the skills they need to obtain high-paying jobs and pursue new career paths,” Sen. Collins said. “It is particularly important that we support individuals who are unemployed or underemployed. This bipartisan bill would invest in programs that would help to connect more Americans to job training and remove barriers that hold them back.”
The bill would provide grants to support partnerships between community or technical colleges and workforce development partners, such as state workforce development boards, industry associations, and community-based organizations.
The partnerships then would support individuals who are unemployed or underemployed by strengthening job training and removing barriers that prevent them from completing a degree or credential program and succeeding in the workforce.
This would be accomplished via support for housing, mental and substance use disorder treatment, health insurance coverage, career counseling, child care, transportation, and guidance in accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), among others, the summary says.
“Passing this legislation would provide important support for both people and businesses, and I urge my colleagues to support it,” said Sen. Hassan.