Apprenticeship Infrastructure Tax Credit Act of 2025
Impact
The legislation is poised to significantly alter employer behavior towards apprenticeship programs, particularly in construction, installation, maintenance, and repair occupations. By offering substantial financial incentives, it could lead to an increase in the number of apprenticeship positions available, benefitting not only the employers through reduced labor costs but also the participants who gain valuable skills and work experience. An important aspect of this bill is its emphasis on recently separated veterans and military spouses, ensuring that efforts are made to integrate these individuals into the civilian workforce more effectively.
Summary
House Bill 3871, known as the Apprenticeship Infrastructure Tax Credit Act of 2025, aims to promote employment by providing tax credits to employers for hiring individuals through apprenticeship programs. This legislation intends to foster continued investments in workforce development by incentivizing businesses to create new apprenticeship opportunities in various infrastructure-related sectors. The bill specifies that employers can claim a credit of $3,000 per eligible apprentice employee and $6,000 for recently separated veterans or military spouses. The apprenticeship tax credit serves as part of the general business credit and is subject to detailed regulations by the Secretary of Labor.
Contention
Notable points of contention may arise regarding the management and execution of the apprenticeship tax credit eligibility certification process, particularly about compliance and the accuracy of reported data. Additionally, concerns about the bill’s long-term fiscal impact on government revenues, given the generous credits available, could spark debates among lawmakers. The bill also mentions situations where tax credits would not apply, such as if an apprentice is laid off involuntarily, which may lead to discussions about job security and employer obligations.
To direct the Secretary of Labor to award grants to develop, administer, and evaluate early childhood education apprenticeships, and for other purposes.
American Apprenticeship Act This bill authorizes the Department of Labor to make grants to assist states in carrying out projects that defray the cost of pre-apprenticeship or related instruction for qualified apprenticeship programs. Labor shall (1) establish performance measures and an evaluation system for such grant program; and (2) identify in-demand occupations that lack the use of apprenticeships, analyze the use of the qualified apprenticeship program model in those occupations, and report on such analysis to states and Congress.