The U.S. House Appropriations Committee voted 35-28 late Sept. 9 to advance the FY 2026 bill for Labor, Health & Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, which preserves $285 million for apprenticeship grants, including $100 million earmarked for state apprenticeship programs.
The total allotment maintains the same level of funding provided to apprenticeship programs in 2025, despite significant cuts overall to the U.S. Department of Labor’s budget.
This comes amid growing pressure from the Automotive Service Association (ASA) and industry stakeholders concerned about technician shortages and increasing vehicle complexity.
Importantly, the approved bill explicitly instructs the Labor Department to provide specialized support for incumbent automotive repair workers to help them gain skills tied to newer automotive technologies. ASA had pushed for this language before, but it was omitted from the FY 2024 legislation that passed.
ASA thanked House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-OK, and LHHSE Subcommittee Chairman Robert Aderholt, R-AL, for their leadership and persistent support for the automotive repair community.
“The automotive repair community faces a daunting repair technician shortage that makes it harder for us to serve consumers,” said Dan Stander, ASA Board of Directors chairman. “It also undermines roadway safety. The federal government can help ensure that automotive technicians are prepared to handle the future of auto innovation through support for apprenticeships and incumbent worker training programs. Congress’ recent action represents a step in the right direction.”
A press release from ASA references a joint report from U.S. Departments of Labor, Education, and Commerce that emphasizes strategic workforce development — meaning the federal government is prioritizing this issue.
