Click here to read the CEA’s letters to Leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees.

FCA International continues its work of helping to strengthen our industry’s apprenticeship programs. FCA contractors and association leaders gathered on Capitol Hill for a legislative fly-in this week to secure new sources of federal funding for our industry’s accredited apprenticeship programs, along with addressing other legislative priorities.

Apprenticeship programs accredited by the U.S. Department of Education offers apprentices the opportunity to receive an associate and/or bachelor’s degree if they are inclined to pursue higher education. Despite this status, our industry’s accredited apprenticeship programs are not currently able to receive Perkins Funding. This funding could be used directly for the development of their training centers, staff, curriculum, tools, etc.

FCA and its allies in the Construction Employers of America (CEA) are urging Congressional support of FY 24 Education Appropriations Report Language that would give accredited apprenticeships access to federal Perkins funding. Each year, Congress appropriates approximately $1.4 billion in grant funding, which secondary and postsecondary schools across the U.S. can access to fund career and technical education initiatives.

The CEA sent two letters in April to the leadership of the House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging their support of including the following language:

Provided further, that section 3(20) of the Perkins Act shall be applied as if the term ‘‘eligible institution’’ includes a public or nonprofit apprenticeship program that is registered with the Office of Apprenticeship of the Employment and Training Administration of the Department of Labor or a State apprenticeship agency recognized by the Office of Apprenticeship pursuant to the Act of August 16, 1937 (commonly known as the “National Apprenticeship Act”; 50 Stat. 664, chapter 663) and accredited by an agency recognized by the Secretary of Education.  

Keep an eye on FCA’s legislative updates for the latest as this language works its way through Congress.

How to Get Involved with FCA’s Legislative Efforts

If you’re interested in participating with FCA’s Legislative Team, please contact Jon Lee at (866) 322-3477 or by email at jlee@finishingcontractors.org.