The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a new competitive grant program. This program, administered by the Secretary of Labor in consultation with the Secretary of Education, aims to significantly expand the capacity of educational institutions to provide training, education, and outreach for careers in the residential construction industry . Eligible entities include junior or community colleges , area career and technical education schools , and other training service providers. The grants will prioritize institutions serving rural areas and underserved populations , such as incumbent workers, in-school youth, and individuals with barriers to employment. Funds must be used to create or expand evidence-based training programs covering a wide range of construction skills, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and construction management. Recipients are required to form partnerships with local residential construction businesses, developers, and labor organizations, with an emphasis on engaging organizations that recruit from underserved populations. The bill also mandates outreach to K-12 students about residential construction careers, potentially through dual enrollment programs. Additionally, grant recipients must offer flexible schedules and provide job search and placement assistance to program completers. Permissible uses of funds include hiring expert instructors, operating training clinics in underserved areas, and offering scholarships to promote retention. All grant recipients and their partners must attest to compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws. The bill authorizes $20,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to support these initiatives.
Building constructionCongressional oversightEducation of the disadvantagedEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEmployment and training programsHigher educationHousing supply and affordabilityPerformance measurementRural conditions and developmentVocational and technical education
CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025
USA119th CongressS-189| Senate
| Updated: 1/22/2025
The CONSTRUCTS Act of 2025 amends the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a new competitive grant program. This program, administered by the Secretary of Labor in consultation with the Secretary of Education, aims to significantly expand the capacity of educational institutions to provide training, education, and outreach for careers in the residential construction industry . Eligible entities include junior or community colleges , area career and technical education schools , and other training service providers. The grants will prioritize institutions serving rural areas and underserved populations , such as incumbent workers, in-school youth, and individuals with barriers to employment. Funds must be used to create or expand evidence-based training programs covering a wide range of construction skills, including carpentry, plumbing, electrical work, and construction management. Recipients are required to form partnerships with local residential construction businesses, developers, and labor organizations, with an emphasis on engaging organizations that recruit from underserved populations. The bill also mandates outreach to K-12 students about residential construction careers, potentially through dual enrollment programs. Additionally, grant recipients must offer flexible schedules and provide job search and placement assistance to program completers. Permissible uses of funds include hiring expert instructors, operating training clinics in underserved areas, and offering scholarships to promote retention. All grant recipients and their partners must attest to compliance with federal, state, and local labor laws. The bill authorizes $20,000,000 annually for fiscal years 2025 through 2029 to support these initiatives.
Building constructionCongressional oversightEducation of the disadvantagedEducation programs fundingElementary and secondary educationEmployment and training programsHigher educationHousing supply and affordabilityPerformance measurementRural conditions and developmentVocational and technical education