II 119th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 2028 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES June 11, 2025 Ms. Smith (for herself, Mr. Daines , and Ms. Klobuchar ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To authorize funding to expand and support enrollment at institutions of higher education that sponsor construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025 . 2. Community outreach grant program (a) In general From the amounts appropriated under subsection (f), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall provide grants to eligible entities for the purposes of expanding or supporting potential student and employer outreach carried out by such entities with respect to the construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs offered by such entities. (b) Amounts The total grant amount made to an eligible entity under this section may not exceed $500,000. (c) Use of grants An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant for the outreach described in subsection (a), which shall include the following: (1) Outreach to high schools, for the purpose of educating students, parents, guardians, and faculty on the benefits of enrolling students in the construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program offered by the eligible entity. (2) Outreach to local businesses and other potential employers for the purpose of educating such employers on the benefits of supporting and hiring graduates of such program, which shall— (A) primarily target relationship building with potential employers in rural, exurban, and suburban areas; and (B) seek to maximize the number of students who work in such areas after completing such program. (3) Outreach to local workforce development boards and apprenticeship intermediaries for the purpose of reaching nontraditional student populations and prioritizing local needs. (d) Application requirements An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (e) Priority In awarding grants under this section, the Secretary shall give priority to eligible entities that demonstrate outreach efforts targeted at increasing program enrollment for rural students, first generation college students, minority students, and nontraditional students, or other students from underrepresented population. (f) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated $5,000,000 to carry out this section for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2030. 3. Student support grant program for expanded academic advising (a) In general From the amounts appropriated under subsection (g), the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, shall provide grants to eligible entities for the activities described in subsection (d). (b) Amounts The total grant amount made to an eligible entity under this section may not exceed $500,000. (c) Multiple grants permitted An eligible entity may receive a grant under sections 2 and 3. (d) Use of grants (1) In general An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall use such grant for advising and support services to enrollees of construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs offered by such entity to increase retention, persistence, and completion for students. (2) Requirements Such advising and support services shall include the following: (A) Expanding academic advising programs that provide services to students, including— (i) career advising and professional development; (ii) support for English as a second language students; (iii) information and resource systems; (iv) mentoring systems; or (v) other similar advising activities that support enrollment, retention, persistence, and completion. (B) Expanding student support programs that provide services to students, including— (i) health and family-related services, including substance abuse disorder and mental health counseling; (ii) support for first generation college students; (iii) childcare support; or (iv) other similar support activities. (e) Application requirements An eligible entity seeking a grant under this section shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may require. (f) Report (1) In general An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report on— (A) the activities supported by the grant; (B) the number of students participating in the activities supported by the grant; (C) the percentage of students participating in the activities supported by the grant who are high school students; (D) the progress made in achieving the goals of the program supported by the grant, in general, and measuring in particular— (i) the effectiveness of the grant in expanding overall enrollment and program and registered apprenticeship program completion rates and certification; (ii) the effectiveness of the grant in expanding enrollment and program completion rates for underrepresented populations; and (iii) any progress made towards the type of indicators of performance as described in section 116(b)(2)(A) of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity ( 29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A) ); and (E) such other information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. (2) Timeline for submission of report The report under paragraph (1) shall be submitted to the Secretary not later than 180 days after the date on which the eligible entity concludes the activities supported by the grant under this section. (g) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $5,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2026 through 2030. 4. Definitions In this Act: (1) Construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college The term construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college means an institution of higher education that is a sponsor of a construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program. (2) Construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program The term construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program means a registered apprenticeship program that— (A) provides coursework and training in preparation for employment in the construction or manufactory industry (such as employment as a painter, drywall finisher, glazier, or glassworker); (B) (i) leads to a recognized postsecondary credential other than a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship; or (ii) awards credits that can be applied toward a recognized postsecondary credential at least at the institution that sponsors the program; and (C) is accredited by a nationally recognized accrediting agency or association recognized by the Secretary pursuant to part H of title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1099a et seq. ). (3) Eligible entity The term eligible entity means a construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college. (4) First generation college student The term first generation college student has the meaning given the term in section 402A(h) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1070a–11(h) ). (5) High school The term high school has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 7801 ). (6) Institution of higher education The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 1001(a) ). (7) Outreach The term outreach means communications and relationship-building opportunities undertaken by an eligible entity. (8) Recognized postsecondary credential The term recognized postsecondary credential has the meaning given the term in section 3 of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act ( 29 U.S.C. 3102 ). (9) Registered apprenticeship program The term registered apprenticeship program means an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act ; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq. ). (10) Second language The term second language means any language other than English, including Braille and American Sign Language. (11) Secretary The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. (12) Underrepresented population The term underrepresented population means an individual who is from a group whose gender, ethnic background, or national origin is not traditionally represented in registered apprenticeship programs.