House Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Bobby Scott  (D-VA) introduced a bill last week that would reauthorize the Department of Labor’s Registered Apprentice program.

The National Apprenticeship Act of 2023 would invest more than $3.85 billion over five years to increase access to RAs, youth apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, resulting in nearly 1 million new apprenticeship opportunities. The resources would expand apprenticeships into in-demand industry sectors and occupations. These include “high-need social service-related industries, sectors or occupations, such as direct care workers and early childhood educators,” according to the bill. 

The RA system is America’s most successful federally authorized workforce development program. Ninety-three percent of people who complete the program are employed upon completion, according to the Department of Labor. 

Under the National Apprenticeship Act, $400 million would be authorized for FY 2025 and rise by $100 million annually to $800 million in FY 2029. Approval of the bill would be welcome news to home care. The industry is in the midst of a staffing crisis — exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic — as demand for home care increases. 

Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and a group of over 30 lawmakers co-introduced the bill. In the 117th Congress, the House passed the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 by a vote of 247-173.