Bill Overview
Title: ASSET Act
Description: This bill directs the Office of Apprenticeship of the Department of Labor to award grants, contracts, or cooperative agreements to certain eligible entities to encourage employer participation in apprenticeship programs. Entities that receive funding under this bill must use the funds to encourage participation of small- and medium-sized businesses in apprenticeship programs.
Sponsors: Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3]
Target Audience
Population: People seeking apprenticeships or enhanced training opportunities
Estimated Size: 7000000
- The legislation focuses on promoting apprenticeship programs, which primarily impacts individuals seeking training and employment opportunities through apprenticeships.
- By targeting small- and medium-sized businesses, the bill indirectly influences business owners and their workforce needs.
- The potential apprentices, who are often young adults and individuals changing careers, will directly benefit from increased availability of apprenticeships.
- The workforce development sector, including educational institutions partnering with businesses on apprenticeship programs, is also impacted.
Reasoning
- The apprenticeship policy targets a specific population segment involved with training and employment through small- and medium-sized businesses.
- Participants likely benefit more immediately or strongly if they are in transition phases such as young adulthood or career change.
- The commonness score reflects how typical the scenario represented by each virtual individual is across the US population.
- Duration predominantly affects younger, early-career individuals due to extended potential policy benefits over time.
Simulated Interviews
Aspiring Software Developer (Chicago, IL)
Age: 22 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I am struggling to find entry-level jobs that value and train fresh graduates.
- I believe apprenticeships could bridge the gap between education and work experience.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Electrician (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having apprentices could help my business grow.
- Funding would reduce the financial risk of training new workers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Data Analyst (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy presents a great opportunity for career changers like me.
- I prefer hands-on experience and mentorship, which apprenticeships can provide.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
High School Teacher (Boise, ID)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Apprenticeship opportunities enhance the relevance of my programs.
- Increased collaboration with businesses would benefit students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Culinary Student (Austin, TX)
Age: 30 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I need real-world experience to complement my studies.
- An apprenticeship would provide essential industry skills.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Mechanical Engineering Graduate (Detroit, MI)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy increases my confidence in finding relevant work experience.
- Apprenticeships are key to transitioning from education to employment.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Small Business Owner (Carpentry) (New York, NY)
Age: 55 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Training apprentices may help revitalize my business.
- The cost of training is a significant barrier, reduced by this policy.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Artisan Baker Apprentice (Seattle, WA)
Age: 24 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Government support can lead to better apprenticeship structures.
- This support makes a career in baking more viable.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
HR Specialist in Manufacturing (Sacramento, CA)
Age: 61 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The bill can help expand our apprenticeship program.
- Attracting young talent is essential for our competitiveness.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Community College Instructor (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 41 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy enhances collaboration between colleges and businesses.
- More apprenticeships mean better outcomes for students.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $40000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $50000000)
Year 2: $40500000 (Low: $30500000, High: $50500000)
Year 3: $41000000 (Low: $31000000, High: $51000000)
Year 5: $42000000 (Low: $32000000, High: $52000000)
Year 10: $43000000 (Low: $33000000, High: $53000000)
Year 100: $44000000 (Low: $34000000, High: $54000000)
Key Considerations
- The success of the bill heavily depends on the effective outreach to small and medium businesses and their interest in participating.
- Regional disparities in the presence and acceptance of apprenticeships might affect overall efficacy.
- Long-term employment and productivity impacts hinge on the quality of apprenticeship programs instituted.