The PATH Act will support quality pre-apprenticeship programs and build a workforce ready to fill critical construction jobs by providing grants to employers, unions, state and local workforce development boards, community-based organizations, postsecondary educational institutions, school districts, state education agencies, high schools, small businesses, and veterans’ service organizations.

“Apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships are America’s most successful workforce programs. I know because I began my career as an electrical apprentice,” Rep. Norcross said. “As the construction industry faces a workforce shortage crisis across the country, I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the bipartisan PATH Act to connect more young people with good-paying jobs in the construction trades. This bill will help build a workforce ready to meet industry demands, expand pathways to the middle class, and support infrastructure investments that strengthen our communities.”

Pre-apprenticeships are a proven strategy for building a workforce ready to meet industry demands and will instruct participants on everything from basic literacy and math to work-readiness skills that can be tailored to the needs of students and labor markets.

“A highly-trained, skilled trade workforce is essential to job creation and economic growth,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “As co-chair of the Congressional Building Trades Caucus, I am proud to join this bipartisan effort to further invest in apprenticeship programs, particularly in underserved communities nationwide.”

The PATH Act is endorsed by North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU).

“North America’s Building Trades Unions understand the training and education pathways required to produce a highly-skilled workforce, and we fully support apprenticeship readiness programs,” says Sean McGarvey, President of North America’s Building Trades Unions. “The efforts in the PATH Act not only open the pipelines of the skilled trades to underserved communities across America, they are essential to securing a strong foundation for America’s middle-class and ensuring national and local economic growth.”

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