ASSET Act

To encourage employer participation in apprenticeship programs. 1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Apprenticeship Support for Small Employers and Teams Act ASSET Act 2. Authorization of grants, contracts, and cooperative agreements The Administrator of the Office of Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor shall award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to eligible entities on a competitive basis for the following purposes: (1) Encouraging employer participation To encourage employer participation in apprenticeship programs— (A) that target individuals with barriers to employment in youth apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, or apprenticeship programs, prioritizing nontraditional apprenticeship populations such as women, minorities, long-term unemployed, individuals with a disability, individuals with substance abuse issues, veterans, military spouses, individuals experiencing homelessness, individuals impacted by the criminal or juvenile justice system, and foster and former foster youth; (B) that are in high-need social service-related industries, sectors, or occupations, such as direct care workers and early childhood educators; (C) that target individuals currently or recently incarcerated; or (D) among small- and medium-sized employers. (2) In-demand industry sector or occupation grants for small- and medium-sized businesses An eligible entity that receives funds under this section shall use such funds to encourage participation of small- and medium-sized businesses in apprenticeship programs, which may include— (A) providing financial assistance to employers to support costs related to the programs, such as training incumbent workers as mentors or employees supervising the on-the-job learning; (B) supporting the cost of related instruction or wages for program participants during related instruction; (C) providing technical assistance to small- and medium-sized businesses on the program registration process and leveraging other available funds to support carrying out such programs; or (D) establishing or expanding partnerships to support program development or expansion, including establishing or expanding industry or sector partnerships to ensure inclusion of small- and medium-sized businesses. 3. Definitions In this Act: (1) Apprenticeship program The term apprenticeship program National Apprenticeship Act 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq. (2) Eligible entity The term eligible entity (A) a program sponsor; (B) a State workforce development board or State workforce agency, or a local workforce development board or local workforce development agency; (C) an education and training provider, or a consortium thereof; (D) a State apprenticeship agency; (E) an Indian Tribe or Tribal organization; (F) an industry or sector partnership, a group of employers, a trade association, or a professional association that sponsors an apprenticeship program; (G) a Governor; (H) a labor organization or joint labor management organization; or (I) a qualified intermediary.

Summary: Apprenticeship Support for Small Employers and Teams Act or the ASSET Act This bill directs the Office of Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to certain eligible entities to encourage employer participation in apprenticeship programs. Entities that receive funding under this bill must use the funds to encourage participation of small- and medium-sized businesses in apprenticeship programs.