Labor and Education to align apprenticeships with college credit and aid

What it does

This bill directs the Secretaries of Labor and Education to create an interagency agreement and establish a voluntary 'Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium'—a network of colleges, apprenticeship sponsors, employers, and training providers—to better connect apprenticeship programs with postsecondary education. The bill requires the consortium to align financial aid, share data on student outcomes, create credit-transfer agreements, and provide technical assistance and public information about apprenticeship pathways. No institution or sponsor is required to join.

Why we flagged it

The bill's core function is to coordinate federal agencies and incentivize voluntary partnerships between apprenticeship and college systems, removing administrative and financial barriers to dual enrollment. It is a structural enabler, not a direct subsidy or mandate.

What the text implies

• Data-sharing requirements between Labor and Education may create privacy considerations for apprenticeship participants, though the bill does not specify data-protection standards or participant consent mechanisms.
• The consortium's success depends on voluntary adoption by colleges and sponsors; without incentives or funding, participation may remain limited to early adopters, reducing the bill's practical reach.
• Alignment of financial aid eligibility across apprenticeships and college coursework may require regulatory changes to Title IV of the Higher Education Act not explicitly authorized here, creating implementation uncertainty.

Section numbers refer to the bill text the analysis read — linked under Primary records below.

Who it affects

The bill removes structural barriers between apprenticeships and college education, enabling workers to earn credentials and federal financial aid simultaneously while building practical skills. Participation is voluntary for all parties, so no entity is forced into compliance, and the primary mechanism—data sharing, articulation agreements, and technical assistance—lowers costs and confusion for workers seeking to combine work and education.

Named in the bill

Secretary of Labor, Secretary of Education, Registered Apprenticeship College Consortium, Office of Apprenticeship, Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006, Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Higher Education Act of 1965, Federal Work Study Program, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, House Committee on Education and Workforce

Where it stands

1 cosponsor: 1 Republicans.

• Feb 26, 2025 — Introduced · Congress.gov: “Introduced in Senate”
• Feb 26, 2025 — Referred to Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions · Congress.gov: “Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions”

Dates and quoted wording are Congress.gov's action record; the timeline shows status changes, not every procedural step.