S2028-119

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025.

3. Student support grant program for expanded academic advising 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). The total grant amount made to an eligible entity under this section may not exceed $500,000. An eligible entity may receive a grant under sections 2 and 3. 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. Such advising and support services shall include the following: Expanding academic advising programs that provide services to students, including— career advising and professional development; support for English as a second language students; information and resource systems; mentoring systems; or other similar advising activities that support enrollment, retention, persistence, and completion. Expanding student support programs that provide services to students, including— health and family-related services, including substance abuse disorder and mental health counseling; support for first generation college students; childcare support; or other similar support activities. 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. An eligible entity that receives a grant under this section shall submit to the Secretary a report on— the activities supported by the grant; the number of students participating in the activities supported by the grant; the percentage of students participating in the activities supported by the grant who are high school students; the progress made in achieving the goals of the program supported by the grant, in general, and measuring in particular— the effectiveness of the grant in expanding overall enrollment and program and registered apprenticeship program completion rates and certification; the effectiveness of the grant in expanding enrollment and program completion rates for underrepresented populations; and 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 such other information as the Secretary determines to be appropriate. 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. 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: 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. The term construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program means a registered apprenticeship program that— 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); leads to a recognized postsecondary credential other than a certificate of completion of an apprenticeship; or awards credits that can be applied toward a recognized postsecondary credential at least at the institution that sponsors the program; and 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.). The term eligible entity means a construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college. 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)). 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). 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)). The term outreach means communications and relationship-building opportunities undertaken by an eligible entity. 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). 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.). The term second language means any language other than English, including Braille and American Sign Language. The term Secretary means the Secretary of Education. 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.