Summary
On February 5, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 447, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, reauthorizing a program established in 1937. The bill now awaits consideration in the Senate. This brief provides background on the federal apprenticeship program, summarizes the new bill, and notes what’s next. If enacted, the bill would codify in law several aspects of the registered apprenticeship system as it exists currently. It would also authorize funding to support and expand apprenticeship programs in several ways.