Bipartisan Bill Aims to Address Montana’s Construction, Manufacturing Worker Gap

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Steve Daines has reintroduced the “Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act of 2025,” bipartisan legislation aimed at strengthening Montana’s workforce through expanded apprenticeship programs.

The bill, introduced alongside Senators Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, would provide critical grant funding to colleges that offer registered apprenticeship programs in the construction and manufacturing industries, encouraging more students to pursue careers in high-demand fields essential to Montana’s economic growth.

Grant Programs

The legislation establishes two distinct grant programs with a total authorization of $10 million annually from 2026 through 2030.

The first program focuses on community outreach, providing up to $500,000 per institution to expand outreach efforts to students and employers. These grants would fund high school outreach programs to educate students, parents, and faculty about apprenticeship benefits, business outreach targeting rural, exurban, and suburban employers, and partnerships with workforce development boards to reach nontraditional students.

The second program offers student support grants of up to $500,000 per institution to enhance academic advising and student support services. These funds would support career advising and professional development, English as a second language support, mental health and substance abuse counseling, first-generation college student support, and childcare assistance.

The legislation prioritizes outreach and support for rural students, first-generation college students, minority students, nontraditional students, and other underrepresented populations.

“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,” Daines said. “The Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act 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.”

Daines emphasized the bill’s broader impact, stating, “By investing in apprenticeship programs, we’re building a stronger workforce and a brighter future for our state and country.”

Requirements and Accountability

The bill includes specific requirements for participating institutions. Programs must be accredited by nationally recognized agencies and must lead to recognized postsecondary credentials or transferable credits. Recipients must submit detailed reports tracking enrollment, completion rates, and program effectiveness, with special emphasis on measuring success with underrepresented populations.

The reintroduction of this bipartisan legislation comes as Montana and other states face workforce shortages in skilled trades and manufacturing sectors. Apprenticeship programs have been recognized as effective pathways for connecting students with career opportunities while meeting industry demand for trained workers.

Eligible institutions can receive grants under both programs, potentially accessing up to $1 million in federal support to expand their apprenticeship offerings and student services.