HR 4588 - Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025

Overview

Bill Number: HR 4588

Title: Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025
Status: Introduced in House
Introduced: July 22, 2025

Purpose and Intent

The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025 aims to establish a new federal grant program to support the creation and expansion of "apprenticeship colleges" - institutions of higher education that integrate academic coursework with structured on-the-job training programs. The bill's sponsors argue this model will help address skills gaps, increase workforce participation, and provide more affordable pathways to well-paying careers.

Key Provisions

• Creates a new $500 million annual grant program within the Department of Education to fund the development and scaling of apprenticeship college programs
• Provides grants of up to $10 million per institution to cover startup costs, curriculum development, equipment/facilities, and student support services
• Requires grant recipients to partner with local employers to design programs that align with regional workforce needs
• Mandates that at least 75% of students in apprenticeship college programs complete a structured on-the-job training component as part of their studies
• Establishes new reporting requirements for grant recipients on student outcomes, job placement rates, and employer satisfaction

Affected Parties and Impacts

• Institutions of higher education, especially community colleges and technical/vocational schools, would be eligible to apply for grants to create or expand apprenticeship college programs
• Students would have access to more affordable, career-focused educational pathways that combine classroom learning with hands-on work experience
• Employers would benefit from a pipeline of skilled workers trained to meet their specific talent needs

Procedural and Timeline Considerations

The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025 was introduced in the House of Representatives on July 22, 2025. It has been referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor, which will hold hearings and mark up the bill before sending it to the full House for consideration. If passed by the House, the bill would then move to the Senate for further review and potential amendments before a final vote. If enacted, the new grant program would begin accepting applications from eligible institutions starting in the 2026-2027 academic year.