To amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to community colleges for high-quality workforce development programs.
Sponsored By: Representative McBath
Introduced
Summary
Would create a competitive grant program to help community colleges build or expand high-quality workforce training and stackable credentials that match employer demand. It aims to connect adult learners to jobs in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand sectors through employer partnerships and transparent credential information.
Show full summary
- Community colleges and similar institutions would be eligible for grants that fund curriculum, career pathways, work-based learning, and support services. Initial grants last up to 4 years and institutions can win additional 4-year grants if they meet performance targets.
- Workers and learners get programs focused on adults, dislocated workers, incumbent workers, and new entrants with emphasis on apprenticeships, competency-based credit for prior learning, and supports like coaching and case management.
- Employers and state workforce systems must be partners, with applications required to show real-time labor market alignment and plans for job placement; grantees must publish searchable data on credentials, skills, transferability, and outcomes.
*Would authorize $65.0 million per year for fiscal years 2026 through 2031, totaling $390.0 million authorized and allowing up to 2 percent of each appropriation for administration.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Employer-linked training with career support
Grant winners would need to partner with employers in in-demand fields. Programs would use evidence-based designs, include work-based learning, and can use virtual delivery. They would serve adults, dislocated workers, incumbent workers, and new entrants. Schools would offer career navigation, coaching, mentorship, outreach to people with barriers, and help with materials or devices. They would also publish clear, searchable details on credentials, skills, transferability, and job and earnings outcomes.
How schools win and keep grants
To apply, schools would need to show employer partnerships, labor-market data, plans to place participants, and how they will leverage other funds. They would name industries, programs, expected credentials, numbers to be served, and alignment with state and local plans. Priority would go to programs serving people with barriers or incumbent workers needing basic skills, using credit for prior learning, or on the state provider list. The Secretary would set school-specific performance targets, review results yearly, and require improvement plans if targets are missed. The Department would evaluate the program within 4 years of the first grant, post an interim report within 60 days, and publish annual performance and enrollment data online.
New grants for community college job training
This bill would create competitive grants to grow job-training at community and Tribal colleges and similar schools. It would authorize $65 million each year from 2026 through 2031. The Department of Labor could use up to 2% for administration, outreach, and evaluation. Grants would last up to 4 years. Schools that meet agreed performance goals could receive additional 4‑year grants.
What grant money could cover
Grant funds could support credit transfer agreements, corequisite remediation, dual enrollment, competency-based learning, and credit for prior learning. Schools could also buy or refurbish specialized equipment and reduce or remove students’ unmet financial need tied to cost of attendance. No more than 7% of a grant could go to admin costs, and no more than 15% to equipment. Funds would have to supplement, not replace, other public funds.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
McBath
GA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Takano, Mark [D-CA-39]
CA • D
Sponsored 2/7/2025
Rep. Hayes, Jahana [D-CT-5]
CT • D
Sponsored 2/7/2025
Mannion
NY • D
Sponsored 2/7/2025
Thompson (CA)
CA • D
Sponsored 2/7/2025
Rep. Whitesides, George [D-CA-27]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Johnson (GA)
GA • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6]
OR • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Adams
NC • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 4/1/2025
Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13]
MI • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Davis (IL)
IL • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8]
CA • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Stansbury
NM • D
Sponsored 5/13/2025
Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3]
PA • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Rep. Quigley, Mike [D-IL-5]
IL • D
Sponsored 9/3/2025
Craig
MN • D
Sponsored 11/20/2025
Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large]
DC • D
Sponsored 1/21/2026
Thompson (MS)
MS • D
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9]
NY • D
Sponsored 2/10/2026
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 4/6/2026
Rep. Bera, Ami [D-CA-6]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/15/2026
Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38]
CA • D
Sponsored 4/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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