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119-hr-8051119th CongressWALLET

TECH Act

Sponsored By: Representative Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

Introduced

Summary

The TECH Act would give qualified technical schools equal access to certain federal Education and Labor grant programs to expand short-term career and job training and help build local workforce pipelines.

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  • Qualified technical schools: Would be eligible to compete for the same covered federal grants as 2-year and 4-year institutions, opening new funding paths for vocational programs.
  • Students and employers: Students in short-term job training programs (generally 150–600 clock hours) would see more programs positioned for grant support and clearer pathways to industry-recognized credentials in sectors like healthcare, manufacturing, transportation, and public safety.
  • Federal program administration: The Secretaries of Education and Labor would be required to change eligibility rules and issue guidance within 180 days to direct grants so workforce pipelines can replace aging and retiring workers.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

New rules for short job training

If enacted, the bill would set rules for "eligible job training programs" at qualified technical schools. Programs would need at least 150 but less than 600 clock hours and run at least 8 but less than 15 weeks. They would have to be run by an eligible WIOA provider, lead to an employer-recognized postsecondary credential, and be validated by an industry or sector partnership. The Secretary of Education would have 60 days to decide a program's eligibility, and the State board must certify the program meets the requirements.

More grant access for technical schools

If enacted, the bill would define which postsecondary vocational schools count as "qualified technical schools." It would make those schools eligible for specified federal grants on the same terms as 2- and 4-year colleges. The Education and Labor Secretaries would have 180 days after enactment to change program rules and issue guidance on how grants should be distributed. Covered grants would include the Strengthening Institutions Program, Federal TRIO programs, CCAMPIS childcare grants, and a Labor training grants program under WIOA.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Kennedy, Mike [R-UT-3]

UT • R

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Owens, Burgess [R-UT-4]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 3/24/2026

  • Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]

    UT • R

    Sponsored 5/26/2026

  • Rep. Onder, Robert F. [R-MO-3]

    MO • R

    Sponsored 6/15/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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