This Act may be cited as the “National Workforce Education Reform and Opportunity Act"

 

SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND FINDINGS

(a) Purpose:
To modernize the American education system from elementary through postsecondary levels by aligning educational curricula with real-world job markets, reducing student debt, increasing workforce participation, and ensuring U.S. global competitiveness.

(b) Congressional Findings:
Congress finds the following:

1. The traditional four-year college model is increasingly inefficient for preparing students for today’s careers.

2. Student debt has surpassed $1.7 trillion, affecting national productivity.

3. The U.S. is falling behind global education and workforce competitiveness rankings, particularly in math, technology, and trade skills.

4. Modern industries demand technical and digital skills that current education pathways often fail to deliver.

5. Access to high-quality, career-aligned training should be a national standard—not a privilege.

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SECTION 2. MODERNIZATION OF K–12 EDUCATION

(a) Federal Mandates on Curriculum Standards

1. Digital Literacy must be introduced by grade 3, including typing, safe internet use, and basic coding logic.

2. Financial Literacy must be integrated by grade 5, including budgeting, saving, and understanding credit.

3. STEM Prioritization: Math and science tracks must be expanded to include robotics, AI concepts, and environmental science by middle school.

(b) Career Pathways in High School

1. Every public high school must offer three educational tracks:

   • Academic Track: College preparatory.

   • Technical/Vocational Track: Skilled trades and apprenticeships.

   • Hybrid Track: Combines both for flexibility.

2. Students shall be given access to personalized career counseling starting in grade 8.

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SECTION 3. NATIONAL APPRENTICESHIP & VOCATIONAL EXPANSION

(a) National Apprenticeship Development Fund (NADF)

• Establish a $5 billion annual fund to support employer-provided apprenticeship programs.

• Subsidies will be awarded to businesses that partner with public high schools, community colleges, or workforce boards.

(b) Public Project Incentive

• Require all federally funded infrastructure, energy, and transportation projects to include a minimum 10% workforce composed of registered apprentices.

(c) Employer Tax Incentives

• Offer up to $10,000 in federal tax credits per apprentice per year to businesses participating in approved training programs.

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SECTION 4. HIGHER EDUCATION ALIGNMENT ACT

(a) Short-Term Credentialing and Certificate Access

• Expand Pell Grant eligibility to include:

  • Bootcamp programs

  • Online accredited credentials

  • Non-degree certificate programs with verifiable workforce outcomes

(b) Outcomes Transparency

• Require all Title IV institutions to publish annual data on:

  • Average debt-to-income ratios

  • Job placement rates

  • Industry-aligned course offerings

(c) Stackable Credentials

• Incentivize colleges to offer stackable certifications that lead to degrees in modular formats.

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SECTION 5. TECHNOLOGY & EQUITY GRANTS

(a) Closing the Digital Divide

• Provide annual grants to rural and underfunded school districts to support:

  • Internet infrastructure

  • Laptops/tablets for students

  • Online learning tools and mobile STEM labs

(b) Access for All

• Guarantee free community college or trade school education for:

  • All U.S. citizens under the age of 25

  • Veterans and displaced workers

  • Individuals earning below 200% of the federal poverty level

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SECTION 6. IMPLEMENTATION & OVERSIGHT

(a) Interagency Council on Workforce Education Reform

• Create a council co-chaired by the Secretaries of Education and Labor.

• Council will:

  • Monitor workforce trends and update curricula every 5 years

  • Engage industry leaders and labor unions in policy reviews

  • Publish public reports on implementation outcomes

(b) Performance-Based Auditing

• Schools, colleges, and employers receiving federal funds under this Act will undergo annual performance reviews.

• Metrics include student outcomes, job placement, wage growth, and employer satisfaction.

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SECTION 7. BENEFITS OF THE ACT

To Students:

• Reduced student debt through faster, cheaper paths to employment.

• Multiple career options tailored to personal strengths and market demand.

• Earlier access to real-world training and mentorship.

To Employers:

• Better-prepared entry-level workforce with job-specific skills.

• Federal support for training new employees.

• Public-private partnerships that promote long-term industry growth.

To the Economy:

• Higher workforce participation across all income levels.

• Lower unemployment and underemployment.

• Strengthened middle class through wage growth in skilled careers.

• Enhanced global competitiveness in technology, green energy, and skilled trades.

To Society:

• Reduced dropout rates and youth unemployment.

• Increased equity across racial, rural, and socioeconomic lines.

• Empowered individuals through lifelong learning and skill renewal pathways.

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Effective Date:
This Act shall take effect at the beginning of the first fiscal year following its enactment.

Funding Appropriation:
The Act authorizes the appropriation of $25 billion annually to be distributed across all provisions of the Act, administered jointly by the U.S. Departments of Education and Labor.