PARTNERS Act
The PARTNERS Act establishes a federal program to promote registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning programs for small and medium-sized businesses within in-demand industry sectors. It does this by creating state-administered grant programs that fund regional industry or sector partnerships. States receive allotments (funded by certain immigration-related fee accounts) to award multi-year grants (up to 3 years, up to $500,000 per grant) to eligible partnerships. The funds are intended to support activities that connect employers with education providers, develop curricula, recruit participants (including individuals facing barriers to employment), deliver classroom and on-the-job training, and provide post-placement support for at least 12 months. The bill also tightens performance reporting to ensure accountability and directs a portion of H-1B fee money to support these work-based learning efforts. Funding comes from the general fund via the Immigration and Nationality Act, with specific adjustments to how H-1B fee accounts can be used. Applicants must align grants with in-demand sectors, establish local or regional partnerships, and demonstrate how activities complement existing workforce programs (notably the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act). The act includes provisions to ensure geographic diversity, require collaboration with state and federal education/health officials for application review, and require regular evaluation and reporting on outcomes by both the state and participating partnerships.
Key Points
- 1Purpose and structure: Creates a national program (through states) to fund eligible industry or sector partnerships that, in local regions, promote registered apprenticeships and other work-based learning for small/medium businesses in in-demand sectors; funds are disbursed to states, which then grant awards to partnerships.
- 2Funding source and amount: Uses funds from the general fund as authorized by immigration-related statutes; grants to partnerships can be up to 3 years and no more than $500,000 per grant; states may reserve up to 5% for administration.
- 3Use of funds: Grants must support registered apprenticeships or other work-based learning, including business engagement, curriculum development, onboarding and transitional employment, workforce training for managers/mentors, recruitment from targeted populations, and required post-placement supports (minimum 12 months). Up to 5% of funds may cover worker support services such as transportation or child care.
- 4Populations and targets: Emphasizes serving individuals with barriers to employment and historically underrepresented groups in in-demand sectors; includes recruitment of SNAP/ TANF recipients and other workforce program participants.
- 5Accountability and oversight: Requires local and state reporting on performance (disaggregated by race, sex, age, and populations with barriers) and compliance with WIOA performance indicators; the Secretary (Department of Labor) reviews applications with the Secretaries of Education and Health and Human Services, and states must submit annual and multi-year evaluations.