Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Congressional Research Service
Official summary
Version 53 · Passed House · Nov 20, 2020
National Apprenticeship Act of 2020
This bill provides statutory authority for the registered apprenticeship program within the Department of Labor (DOL), provides for related grant programs, and contains related provisions.
The bill provides statutory authority for the Office of Apprenticeship (OA) within DOL. The OA's responsibilities include (1) supporting the development of apprenticeship models; (2) recognizing qualified state apprenticeship agencies, and operating apprenticeship offices in states without a recognized agency; (3) providing technical assistance to state agencies; (4) periodically updating requirements for each occupation in the apprenticeship program and determining whether to approve new occupations for the program; (5) promoting greater diversity in the national apprenticeship system; and (6) awarding grants provided under this bill.
Showing the opening paragraphs of the official summary.
Read full official summaryShow less
The bill also establishes in statute the responsibilities of state apprenticeship agencies and offices, including (1) providing technical assistance to stakeholders, (2) resolving complaints, (3) establishing state performance goals, and (4) including in its written plan a description of how its apprenticeship programs align with the skills needs of the state's employers.
The OA shall enter into an agreement with the Department of Education to promote the integration and alignment of apprenticeship programs with secondary, postsecondary, and adult education.
The OA shall award grants to eligible entities to (1) expand national apprenticeship system programs, including by expanding pre-apprenticeship and youth apprenticeship programs; (2) encourage employer participation; and (3) strengthen alignment between the apprenticeship system and education providers.
The bill provides statutory authority for criteria for various programs, including (1) quality standards for apprenticeships, (2) requirements for apprenticeship agreements between a program sponsor and an apprentice, and (3) acceptable uses for grant funds awarded under this bill.
The bill also provides statutory authority for the National Advisory Committee on Apprenticeships. The committee's duties shall include advising the OA on matters relating to this bill and providing recommendations on topics such as increasing the participation of populations not traditionally involved in the national apprenticeship system.
DOL shall engage an independent entity to conduct research on ways to improve the management and effectiveness of programs related to the national apprenticeship system.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS - The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on agreeing to amendments, which had been debated previously and on which further proceedings had been postponed.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Smucker amendment, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the noes had prevailed. Mr. Smucker demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1224, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Smucker amendment No. 15.
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Levin (MI) amendment, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Foxx demanded the yeas and nays and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of agreeing to the amendment until a time to be announced.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 1224, the House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Levin (MI) amendment No. 9.
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H5993-6007)
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - Pursuant to clause 1(c) of Rule 19, the Chair postponed further consideration on H.R. 8294.
Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1224, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Scott(VA) En Bloc amendment No. 2.
Without objection, the motion to reconsider is laid upon the table.
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H.Res. 1224, the House proceeded with 20 minutes of debate on the Scott(VA) En Bloc amendment No. 1.
DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 8294.
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8294 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in Part A of the Rules Committee report, shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended.
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1224. (consideration: CR H5950-5982)
Rule H. Res. 1224 passed House.
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 1224 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 8294 with 1 hour of general debate. Motion to recommit with or without instructions allowed. Specified amendments are in order. The resolution provides that the amendment in the nature of a substitute recommended by the Committee on Education and Labor now printed in the bill, modified by the amendment printed in Part A of the Rules Committee report, shall be considered as adopted and the bill, as amended.
Placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 465.
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Committee on the Judiciary discharged.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 116-567, Part I.
Reported (Amended) by the Committee on Education and Labor. H. Rept. 116-567, Part I.
Ordered to be Reported (Amended) by the Yeas and Nays: 26 - 16.
Committee Consideration and Mark-up Session Held.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on Education and Labor, and in addition to the Committee on the Judiciary, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Introduced in House
Introduced in House
Primary sources
Bill text & related measures
Text links open the official source. We currently store references to these documents.
Source last updated: Jul 21, 2025. Consult Congress.gov for the current record.
AI Conversation Starters
Explore the bill from different angles
Choose a perspective, copy a prompt, and paste it into your preferred AI. Each prompt includes the bill version and available official source links, and asks for counterarguments as well as supporting evidence.
Neutral evidence review
Objective
Analyze H.R.8294 as objectively as possible. Explain its main provisions, who would be affected, possible benefits and harms, implementation, exceptions, and uncertainties. Present the strongest arguments for and against it, and identify evidence needed to assess its public impact.
View full prompt & sources
Fairness and public impact
Progressive lens
Examine H.R.8294 through a progressive lens, focusing on fairness, access, economic inequality, and effects on vulnerable communities. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and distinguish stated goals from demonstrated outcomes.
View full prompt & sources
Institutions and government scope
Conservative lens
Examine H.R.8294 through a conservative lens, focusing on fiscal responsibility, institutional stability, federalism, and the scope of government. Explain potential benefits, costs, and unintended consequences. Consider the strongest counterarguments and any provisions that challenge this perspective.
View full prompt & sources
Individual rights and government power
Liberty lens
Examine H.R.8294 through a civil-liberties and limited-government lens. Consider individual rights, privacy, voluntary choice, accountability, and government power. Explain tradeoffs, possible safeguards, and the strongest counterarguments without assuming the proposal is beneficial or harmful.