Trahan, Morelle, Crow Introduce Bill to Increase Workers' Access to Apprenticeship Programs

Statement

Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (MA-03) joined Congressmen Joe Morelle (NY-25) and Jason Crow (CO-06) to reintroduce the Apprenticeship Support for Small Employers and Teams (ASSET) Act to provide workers with more opportunities to enroll in valuable apprenticeship programs. The bill was first introduced in September of 2020 and passed in the House of Representatives.

"Apprenticeships allow workers to gain essential experience, strengthen their skill set, and increase their value in the workplace -- all critical as folks continue returning to work in family sustaining jobs," said Congresswoman Trahan. "That's why today, I'm proud to introduce the ASSET Act, which enables both employers and employees to reap the invaluable benefits of apprenticeship programs. I'm glad to partner with Congressmen Morelle and Crow to reintroduce this commonsense legislation, and look forward to securing its passage as soon as possible."

"Apprenticeships are a proven investment in growing our workforce, strengthening our economy, and setting families up for success," said Congressman Morelle. "That's why I'm proud to introduce legislation that will bolster these opportunities and help ensure an equitable recovery from the pandemic by connecting workers with jobs at a time when they're needed most. I'm grateful to my colleagues in Congress for their partnership and I look forward to our continued work together to reduce the barriers facing workers and ensure everyone has an opportunity to thrive."

"Our workers are the lifeblood of our economy," said Congressman Crow. "It's essential we equip hardworking Coloradans with the skills and experience they need to get ahead. I'm proud to join Reps. Trahan and Morelle in introducing the ASSET Act, which will give more folks access to the opportunities they need to earn a good life for themselves and their families."

The legislation authorizes the Department of Labor to provide grants to small- and medium-sized businesses to encourage their participation in the national apprenticeship system. The grants may be used to defray the costs of participation, including:

The creation or expansion of an apprenticeship program;
Incumbent worker training as mentors or employees supervising apprentices;
Wages for apprentices; and
Technical assistance related to apprenticeships for small and medium-sized businesses.
The assistance would also prioritize opportunities for nontraditional apprenticeship populations, including women, minorities, individuals with a disability, veterans, and others.

With 94 percent of apprentices employed upon completion of their program and an average starting wage of above $70,000 annually, registered apprenticeships are a proven federal investment. With continued investments like those provided in the ASSET Act, registered apprenticeship opportunities can expand to new industries, occupations, and populations, supporting even more working families in their pandemic recovery.

The full bill text of the ASSET Act can be found HERE.

Source