H.R. 4588 — Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025

This section establishes a community outreach grant program administered by the Secretary, in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, under which eligible entities that offer construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs (i.e., U.S. Department of Labor-approved programs combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction) may receive grants of up to $500,000 to conduct outreach to students and employers. Grant funds must be used for (1) outreach to high schools to educate students, parents, guardians, and faculty on program benefits; (2) outreach to local businesses and potential employers, primarily targeting relationship-building in rural, exurban, and suburban areas to maximize post-graduation employment there; and (3) outreach to local workforce development boards and apprenticeship intermediaries to reach nontraditional student populations and prioritize local needs. In awarding grants, the Secretary must prioritize eligible entities demonstrating outreach to rural students, first-generation college students, minority students, nontraditional students, or other underrepresented populations. The section authorizes $5 million annually for FY2026 through FY2030.

This section establishes a grant program, administered by the Secretary in consultation with the Secretary of Labor, under which eligible entities may receive up to $500,000 to provide advising and support services—such as career advising, ESL support, mentoring, mental health counseling, and childcare—to enrollees in construction- and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship programs. Grantees must apply to the Secretary, report to the Secretary within 180 days of concluding grant activities on participation (including the percentage of high school students), effectiveness in increasing enrollment and completion rates (particularly for underrepresented populations), and progress toward primary WIOA performance indicators (29 U.S.C. 3141(b)(2)(A)) (i.e., employment rates, median earnings, credential attainment, and measurable skill gains), and may also receive grants under section 2. The program authorizes $5 million for each of FY2026 through FY2030.

This section defines terms used in the Act, including "(1) construction and manufacturing-oriented apprenticeship college" as an institution of higher education that sponsors a construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program; "(2) construction and manufacturing-oriented registered apprenticeship program" as a registered apprenticeship program providing coursework and training for construction or manufacturing jobs (e.g., painter, drywall finisher) that leads to (or provides credits toward) a recognized postsecondary credential and is accredited under HEA part H; and "(3) eligible entity" as such a college. The section also incorporates existing statutory definitions for other terms, such as "institution of higher education" (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)), "first generation college student" (20 U.S.C. 1070a–11(h)), and "recognized postsecondary credential" (29 U.S.C. 3102(52)).