U.S. Senators Susan Collins (R-ME) and Maria Cantwell (D-WA) have introduced the Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act of 2015, which would create a $5,000 tax credit for employers using apprenticeship programs to train workers in the food and beverage industry and other high-demand fields.
The bill would also allow veterans in apprenticeships to get credit for previous military training and experience, and enable senior employees near retirement to draw from pensions early if they’re involved in mentoring or training new employees.
A skilled workforce is critical to powering economic growth and ensuring U.S. workers and businesses stay competitive in an increasingly globalized economy, Cantwell noted in a prepared statement.
“This legislation builds on the success of apprenticeship programs in Washington state and elsewhere that help businesses find and develop a skilled workforce, and allow workers to earn a salary while getting on-the-job training,” she said.