Jobs, On-the-Job Earn-While-You-Learn Training, and Apprenticeships for Young African-Americans Act
Summary
The "Jobs, On-the-Job `Earn-While-You-Learn' Training, and Apprenticeships for Young African-Americans Act" aims to amend the National Apprenticeship Act to expand apprenticeship opportunities for young African Americans. It establishes a Diversity and Inclusion Administrator within the Department of Labor and requires apprenticeship programs to develop plans for increasing African American participation.
The bill also authorizes grants to support diversity in registered apprenticeship programs, targeting both traditional and nontraditional industries. It defines key terms related to apprenticeship programs and sets an effective date of April 22, 2026, with authorized appropriations for fiscal years 2026-2029.
The Act seeks to address economic disparities and promote workforce diversity through targeted apprenticeship initiatives.
Expected Effects
This act will likely increase the participation of young African Americans in apprenticeship programs. It could lead to improved employment opportunities and economic stability for this demographic.
The establishment of the Diversity and Inclusion Administrator and the grant program will provide resources and oversight to support these efforts. The act may also encourage the development of more equitable hiring standards.
Potential Benefits
- Increased job opportunities for young African Americans through apprenticeships.
- Promotion of diversity and inclusion within the workforce.
- Targeted support for apprenticeship programs in high-demand industries.
- Potential for economic mobility and reduced unemployment rates within the African-American community.
- Enhanced partnerships between educational institutions, employers, and community organizations.
Potential Disadvantages
- The effectiveness of the act depends on the actual allocation and utilization of funds.
- There may be challenges in ensuring equitable access to apprenticeship programs across different regions and industries.
- The act's focus on a specific demographic group could raise concerns about fairness and equal opportunity for other underrepresented groups.
- The administrative overhead associated with the Diversity and Inclusion Administrator and grant program could be significant.
- The authorized appropriations may be insufficient to achieve the act's goals.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the Constitution's broad goals of promoting the general welfare (Preamble) and ensuring equal protection under the law (14th Amendment). It addresses historical economic disparities and aims to create opportunities for a specific demographic group that has faced systemic disadvantages.
However, some might argue that targeting a specific racial group could potentially raise concerns under the Equal Protection Clause, requiring careful consideration to ensure the program is narrowly tailored to address specific documented disparities and does not create new forms of discrimination. The Commerce Clause (Article I, Section 8) provides a basis for federal action related to workforce development and apprenticeship programs, as these activities impact interstate commerce.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).