WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) joined colleagues in introducing of the Apprentice-Related Child Care Act (ARCC Act) during National Apprenticeship Week to establish a child care stipend pilot program to Americans enrolled in Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeship programs.

“As a former electrical apprentice, I know firsthand that registered apprenticeships are one of America’s most successful job programs,” Rep. Norcross said. “The ARCC Act will expand access to apprenticeships and remove barriers to these highly successful programs by providing affordable childcare for hardworking Americans who are working to support their families. During National Apprenticeship Week, I remain committed to ensuring that apprentice programs and apprentices have the resources and opportunities they need to be successful. I am proud to co-lead this bill that will strengthen America's workforce and expand pathways to the middle class."

The ARCC Act would establish a two-year pilot program at the Department of Labor (DOL). Authorized at $200 million over Fiscal Years 2024 and 2025, the bill directs the DOL to establish a competitive grant program, awarding grants to ten geographically diverse states for the purposes of administering child care stipends to American workers enrolled in Registered Apprenticeships and Pre-Apprenticeship programs.

Stipends are paid directly to child care providers serving apprentices and must be at least $500 per month, per dependent child. When administering child care stipends, states must include groups that are historically underrepresented in apprenticeships, including women and people of color. At the conclusion of the pilot program, DOL must report to Congress on the impact of these stipends, including any effect on persistence and completion rates. The stipends are not subject to income tax and not counted toward eligibility for public benefit programs.

“America will never reach peak workforce participation unless we as a country address the urgent and escalating issue of child care. It touches every office, business, and job site in the United States,” said Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trades Unions. “The lack of access to safe, quality, affordable child care prevents parents from being in the workforce, hurts our economy, and hurts families. All of us must do more. The building trades unions and our partners are stepping up to do our part, and we applaud those who are focused on exploring strategies to provide additional support. The Apprentice-Related Child Care (ARCC) Act does just this, and we thank Representatives Cuellar, Bonamici, Norcross, and Dingell for their leadership on this issue.”

For more information on the ARCC Act, click here.

###