PARTNERS Act
The Promoting Apprenticeships through Regional Training Networks for Employers Required Skills Act of 2025 (PARTNERS Act) would establish a national effort to expand registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning programs for small and medium-sized businesses in in-demand industry sectors. The program would use federal funds (drawn from H-1B fee revenue) to support local and regional industry or sector partnerships that create and sustain work-based learning opportunities, including paid apprenticeships, classroom instruction, and post-program employment supports. States would receive allotments to award grants to partnerships that implement these activities, with grant funding available for up to three years per partnership (up to $500,000 per grant). The act emphasizes collaboration with education and workforce partners, measurable performance, and supports targeted services for individuals facing barriers to employment and underrepresented groups. It would also reprioritize a portion of H-1B fee receipts to fund these activities and repeal a related 1998 provision.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and structure: Creates a national program to foster local/ regional industry or sector partnerships that promote registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning for small and medium-sized businesses in in-demand sectors.
- 2Funding and administration: Funds come from the general fund (via H-1B fee formula changes) and are allotted to states, which award grants to eligible partnerships to carry out activities under the bill. Grants run up to 3 years and can total up to $500,000 per grant; states may reserve a portion for administration and evaluations.
- 3Eligible partnerships and activities: Partnerships must qualify under WIOA definitions, target in-demand sectors, and include lead partners. Funds support business engagement, development of curricula and classroom instruction, work-based learning activities, and post-employment supports (at least 6 months), with a 12-month total span of worker support post-placement.
- 4Services and supports for workers: Grants can fund pre-work training, mentorship, transportation, childcare, tools, and other supports to ensure retention and completion of programs; the program prioritizes individuals with barriers to employment and historically underrepresented groups.
- 5Accountability and reporting: Recipients must provide local reports on performance indicators (aligned with WIOA metrics) disaggregated by population, race/ethnicity, sex, and age; states must aggregate and report data. Evaluations occur at both the local and state levels.
- 6Conforming amendments: Repeals a 1998 act provision and reallocates up to 50% of certain H-1B fee receipts to fund PARTNERS Act activities, strengthening the program’s financing.