Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07), voted in favor of the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, a bipartisan proposal that will create nearly 1 million additional apprenticeship opportunities over the next five years. This bill reauthorizes our nation’s most successful federal workforce training program, providing registered apprenticeships with paid, on-the job training.

“As a long-time supporter of expanding apprenticeship programs, I am thrilled to support today’s legislation to accelerate the economy with an expansion of our federal apprenticeship program. During this time of economic turmoil, we must invest in our workers and prepare them for jobs in growing industries, ranging from construction and building trades to information technology and health care,” said Rep. Terri Sewell. “I am especially proud that this legislation will increase diversity in apprenticeship programs, including upholding equal opportunity standards and recruiting individuals with barriers to employment. These bold investments will expand opportunity for workers in my district and across the country.” 

By increasing investments in the national apprenticeship system, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 will begin to bring America’s investments in apprenticeship more in line with countries around the world. 

The National Apprenticeship Act was first signed into law in 1937 during the Great Depression. In addition to creating pathways to the middle class and beyond, this reauthorization would help our nation recover from deepest economic decline since that time. Investing in this proven workforce system now will provide more Americans with a paid pathway to high-quality employment opportunities.

The National Apprenticeship Act of 2021:

• Authorizes $400 million for fiscal year (FY) 2022, increasing by $100 million annually to $800 million for FY 2026, to:

  • Support the creation or expansion of registered apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeship programs, including in non-traditional apprenticeship occupations and for nontraditional populations

  • Encourage employer participation and recruitment for individuals with barriers to employment, including individuals impacted by the criminal justice system and individuals with disabilities

  • Support national industry and equity intermediaries, and intermediaries at the regional or local level

  • Establish or expand educational alignment with programs under the national apprenticeship system

  • Strengthen the connections between the Department of Education and Department of Labor through an interagency agreement to support the creation and expansion of youth apprenticeships, college consortiums, and data sharing agreements.

Read more about the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 here. 

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