WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Tina Smith (D-MN) and Steve Daines (R-MT) reintroduced legislation to help increase enrollment in apprenticeship programs. The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act would provide grant funding to help apprenticeship colleges expand outreach to potential students and employers, improve academic advising programs and address common barriers to degree completion like childcare access and support for first-generation students. Apprenticeship colleges are institutions of higher education that sponsor registered apprenticeship programs such as electrical, carpentry or information technology programs. The bill is also cosponsored by Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).
“Access to career education and hands-on training is critical for people to gain the skills needed to fill high-demand, good-paying jobs,” said Senator Smith. “This bill will help support apprenticeship colleges and make them more accessible for students. Supporting a well-trained workforce through registered apprenticeships is a win for students, employers, and the economy.”
“Montana’s economy depends on a strong, skilled workforce, and registered apprenticeships are a proven way to prepare workers for in-demand and good-paying jobs,” said Senator Steve Daines. “The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act (SACA) will enable schools to provide the type of hands-on training and education that will lead to long-term careers in the construction and manufacturing industries that are vital to communities across Montana. By investing in apprenticeship programs, we’re building a stronger workforce and a brighter future for our state and country.”
“Apprenticeships provide Americans with valuable on-the-job training and skills to work in high-demand fields,” said Klobuchar. “This legislation will help more people access and benefit from these valuable programs by providing additional funding to enhance outreach to potential students, improve academic advising, and address common barriers to degree completion.”
“Registered apprenticeship programs, like ours, have always been an important step on the path to the middle class and to learning life changing skills. Providing a way to be able to achieve both a skilled trade and an Associate’s Degree benefits workers and communities as a whole. It’s why we are so happy to see the reintroduction of the Supporting Accredited Apprenticeship Colleges Act and I look forward to this bill advancing through Congress with strong bi-partisan support,” saidInternational Union of Painters and Allied Trades General President Jim Williams, Jr..
The Finishing Trades Institute of the Upper Midwest (FTIUM) is an apprenticeship college located in Little Canada, MN, dedicated to developing professional tradespeople, advancing their skills, and certifying their qualifications in the Upper Midwest. FTIUM offers an Associate of Applied Science in Construction Technologies, with five concentrations: commercial painter, coating application specialist, drywall finisher, glazier, and glassworker, in addition to online programs and seven apprenticeship programs. FTIUM currently enrolls 40 high school students in its Finishing Trades Academy, 390 apprentices, 51 Associates students, 800 continuing education students. It boasts a 100% placement rate and an over 70% completion rate, with more than 50% of students identifying as female and/or BIPOC. Students start at approximately $30 per hour with employer-paid health insurance and pension benefits, and access to a robust Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to reduce mental health stigmas and provide support.
Read the full text of the bill here and the one-pager here.
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