Lawmakers Asked to Consider Funding for Apprenticeships at 2-Year Colleges – Inside Higher Ed
President Biden’s proposed $12 billion in funding for community colleges could go, in part, to help institutions build degree-based apprenticeship programs.
As lawmakers consider additional funding for community colleges, higher education leaders are asking them to look at making targeted investments in apprenticeship programs. At hearings Tuesday, Democrats and Republicans seemed united in wanting to see that happen.
The programs were a topic of discussion during two congressional hearings held Tuesday in the House Appropriations and Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions committees about community college investment and the institutions’ roles in developing a postcoronavirus workforce.
President Biden is proposing $12 billion in funding for community colleges as part of his infrastructure plan, and the House committee will soon develop its appropriations bills for fiscal year 2022. Witnesses testified that at least part of that funding could be used to aid in the creation of more apprenticeship programs that support workforce development and better accommodate adult learners.
“We’ve got to provide, at each of our colleges, more opportunities for apprenticeships for these students,” Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of the American Association of Community Colleges, said at the House hearing.