U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, R-La., introduced two pieces of legislation April 27 supporting the nation’s apprenticeship programs.
The START Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Jim Banks, R-Ind., would expedite the application review process for new apprenticeship programs. The ADVICE Act, co-sponsored by Sen. Tommy Tuberville, R-Ala., would create an advisory committee to make apprenticeship pay, retention, and program completion data recommendations.
“Apprenticeships empower Americans to achieve the American Dream and strengthen the economy,” Cassidy said. “Let’s make apprenticeships more enticing to employers, helping to build a workforce for the future.”
The START Act guarantees prospective apprenticeship programs will receive faster responses as they seek registration, so industries that are unfamiliar with apprenticeships will be able to participate with ease. “If you’re ready to learn a trade and get to work, we should be helping you do that, not slowing you down,” Banks said.
The ADVICE Act will help states and apprenticeship program sponsors replicate proven models based on outcomes data so more workers will have opportunities to participate.
“Apprenticeships are a great way to provide students with on-the-job training while filling critical workforce demands,” Tuberville said. “I’m proud to support this legislation and will continue to champion creating accessible pathways for students to find good-paying jobs,” he said.
Cassidy also requested that the U.S. Government Accountability Office conduct a study on removing barriers to create new apprenticeship programs.
The bills are supported by SHRM. “Apprenticeships are essential to a skills-first workforce strategy and a stronger education-to-employment pipeline — the E² pipeline — giving employers a proven way to build and expand American talent,” said Emily M. Dickens, chief administrative officer at SHRM. “SHRM’s 2026 Talent Trends report shows that while only 23% of organizations currently offer or partner with registered or customized apprenticeship programs, 84% of those that do report a positive impact on talent shortages. Reducing barriers to program registration and improving the quality and consistency of apprenticeship data will help more employers move quickly to adopt and scale these programs with confidence. As work continues to evolve with the rise of artificial intelligence and as more workers balance caregiving responsibilities, these improvements will support more responsive, flexible, and effective skills-based pathways that meet changing workforce needs.”
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has vowed to approve new apprenticeship programs faster, offering to waive certain design requirements to offer more flexibility in order to meet the White House’s goal of 1 million active apprentices across the country. There were about 700,000 active apprenticeships as of this March, according to DOL data.
The Trump administration is promoting apprenticeships as a viable pathway for workers to enter high-paying, in-demand occupations, while also trying to address labor shortages in fields ranging from skilled trades to artificial intelligence.
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