The "Workforce Apprenticeship Growth and Education Support Act" or "WAGES Act of 2026" introduces a new refundable payroll tax credit to encourage employer investment in registered apprenticeship programs. This credit aims to strengthen the American economy by addressing persistent workforce shortages and enhancing the competitiveness of the United States. Congress finds that apprenticeships are a proven model for workforce development, providing pathways to higher earnings and stable careers, and seeks to expand employer participation. The core of the bill establishes a credit against applicable employment taxes for eligible employers. This credit amounts to 50 percent of qualified wages paid to each qualified apprentice and 50 percent of registered apprenticeship program expenses incurred by the employer. Qualified wages are capped at $5,000 per apprentice per calendar quarter for up to two years, while program expenses are limited to the greater of $5,000 or $2,500 per apprentice, with an overall cap of $50,000 per quarter. An eligible employer either maintains a registered apprenticeship program or participates in one through a written agreement, employing a qualified apprentice. A qualified apprentice is an employee participating in a registered apprenticeship program under a written agreement, registered within 90 days of probationary employment. The credit is refundable if it exceeds the employer's employment tax liability for the quarter, providing direct financial relief. Registered apprenticeship program expenses encompass various costs beyond wages, including related instruction, on-the-job learning, and mentor wages. Mentor wages, specifically, are the excess pay for journeyworkers providing mentorship, capped at $10,000 per mentor per quarter. The bill includes provisions to prevent double benefits, ensuring that expenses claimed for this credit cannot be used for other tax credits or deductions, and prohibits claiming the credit if expenses are covered by other federal programs. Additionally, the WAGES Act modifies the tax treatment of apprenticeship awards. It allows certain awards given to apprentices for training and curriculum purposes to be treated as employee achievement awards. This change increases the deductible limits for such awards, raising the general limit to $1,500 and the qualified plan award limit to $5,000, further incentivizing employer recognition of apprentice achievements.