Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026

This legislation, titled the Homebuilders Corps Act of 2026, aims to significantly expand training opportunities in residential construction trades by amending the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It directs the Secretary to prioritize and expand training programs in critical areas such as carpentry, plumbing, electrical trades, masonry, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning . This focus is intended to address workforce needs within the residential construction sector. The bill also establishes an employer incentive program designed to encourage the hiring of skilled graduates. Under this program, residential construction firms can receive a $5,000 grant for each Job Corps graduate they hire from a residential construction program and employ for a consecutive 12-month period. Furthermore, the Secretary is mandated to facilitate agreements with large trade associations to integrate Job Corps graduates into registered apprenticeship programs, ensuring a clear pathway to skilled employment. Workforce councils will also be required to regularly update residential construction curricula to incorporate new technologies, and a substantial appropriation of $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 is authorized to fund these comprehensive initiatives.