Job Corps and Skilled Defense Workforce Act
Sponsored By: Representative Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
Introduced
Summary
Aligns Job Corps training with defense industrial base needs. The bill would direct the Department of Defense to steer Job Corps toward shipyards and other defense suppliers and expand access for recruits and transitioning service members.
Show full summary
- Would require outreach to recruits who are ineligible for enlistment and expand enrollment to service members eligible for preseparation counseling, creating a clearer path from military separation to Job Corps training.
- Allows Job Corps centers to accept cash donations and to transfer property directly to the appropriate Secretary, and lets local operators realign trades, hire staff, and make partnerships with schools and employers without prior Secretary approval within budget limits.
- Extends the Shipbuilding Workforce Development Special Incentive to Job Corps programs and funds Job Corps training and investments in curricula, equipment, and facilities near shipyards to help address local skilled worker shortages in the defense supply chain.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More defense-focused Job Corps training
If enacted, the Secretary of Defense would support Job Corps training matched to local defense industry needs through the National Imperative for Industrial Skills program. The bill would require outreach to recruits who are ineligible under 10 U.S.C. 520 to inform them about Job Corps options. It would expand Job Corps enrollment to service members eligible for preseparation counseling under 10 U.S.C. 1142. Advanced career training under 20 U.S.C. 3198(c) would be offered at existing centers or new centers near shipyards. The bill would also add Job Corps to the shipbuilding workforce incentive under 10 U.S.C. 8696.
More local control for Job Corps
If enacted, operators of Job Corps centers would be allowed to hire staff, provide staff development, and make local agreements without prior Secretary approval, as long as they stay within the center's approved budget. The bill would let the Secretary of Agriculture accept cash grants and charitable donations for Job Corps centers. It would also allow property acquired by a Job Corps center to be transferred directly to the Secretary on a nonreimbursable basis.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Courtney, Joe [D-CT-2]
CT • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Ezell, Mike [R-MS-4]
MS • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]
VA • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Bishop, Sanford D., Jr. [D-GA-2]
GA • D
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17]
PA • D
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Tenney, Claudia [R-NY-24]
NY • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2]
NH • D
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Rutherford, John H. [R-FL-5]
FL • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2]
NE • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Wilson, Joe [R-SC-2]
SC • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]
KY • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Moore, Blake D. [R-UT-1]
UT • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Grothman, Glenn [R-WI-6]
WI • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 5/20/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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