March 14, 2023 -U.S. Representatives Nikki Budzinski and co-sponsors have introduced a bill they say will address the job skills gap by supporting apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs.
The Leveraging and Energizing America’s Apprenticeship Programs (LEAP) Act uses federal tax incentives to encourage more businesses to hire apprentices.
The LEAP Act was first introduced by former Congressman Rodney Davis in 2013. Budzinski and co-sponsors updated the legislation to eliminate age limits and emphasize the eligibility of pre-apprenticeship programs.
“Today, I introduced my first piece of legislation to support the apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship programs that get folks ready for careers in growing industries,” said Congresswoman Budzinski. “By providing tax credits to small businesses, this bill will both address the need for more qualified workers and cut educational costs for job seekers – a win-win for employers and employees. I’m grateful to former Congressman Rodney Davis, who introduced the first version of this legislation back in 2013. And I’m thankful to Congressman Mike Carey for partnering with me to build on this bipartisan bill.”
The LEAP Act provides a $1,500 federal tax credit for businesses hiring new apprentices that are registered with the U.S. Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency. The legislation is fully paid for through an offset barring the federal government from printing publications that are available online with an exception for seniors, Medicare recipients and those in communities with limited internet access.
