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Congress·In Committee·S. 3401

Sens. Marshall and Warnock Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Expand Job Training at Community Colleges

Pathways to Prosperity Act

1 day ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill creates a competitive grant program for community colleges and vocational schools to start or expand workforce development programs focused on high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand jobs. Schools must partner with local employers to make sure training matches actual workforce needs.

    From policy text

    “the Secretary shall, on a competitive basis, make grants to eligible institutions to carry out the activities described in subsection (e).”
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  • The program prioritizes helping people who face barriers to employment, including low-income individuals, rural communities, and workers who need to upgrade their skills. The Department of Labor can use up to 2% of funding for outreach and technical assistance to these underserved groups.

    From policy text

    “providing technical assistance and targeted outreach to support eligible institutions serving a high number or high percentage of low-income individuals or individuals with barriers to employment, and rural-serving eligible institutions”
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  • Grants are awarded for up to 2 years, and schools can apply for additional grants if they meet performance benchmarks. Schools that fall short receive technical assistance and must develop an improvement plan rather than immediately losing funding.

    From policy text

    “each first grant under this section shall be awarded for a period of not more than 2 years”
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  • Schools must report on outcomes like program completion rates, job placement, earnings, and whether incumbent workers advanced into higher-level positions. The Department of Labor will publish all performance data publicly online.
  • The bill encourages stackable credentials — short-term certificates that build toward fuller qualifications — and allows schools to award academic credit for prior learning or work experience. It also supports apprenticeships, pre-apprenticeships, and work-based learning.

    From policy text

    “expand opportunities for individuals to obtain recognized postsecondary credentials that are nationally or regionally portable and stackable for high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations.”
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  • Grant funds can be used to reduce students' unmet financial needs for costs of attendance, purchase specialized equipment (capped at 15% of funds), and provide career coaching, mentorship, and case management services. Administrative costs are capped at 7%.

    From policy text

    “Reduce or eliminate unmet financial need relating to the cost of attendance (as defined under section 472 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1087ll)) of participants in such programs.”
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EducationLabor Employment

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions
Mar 19, 2026Senate

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Dec 9, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Dec 9, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

6-12 months after enactment

If enacted, the Department of Labor begins designing the competitive grant program and developing application guidelines for community colleges

Community colleges and vocational schools would start preparing employer partnerships and applications, but no grants would be awarded yet during this setup phase

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Pathways to Prosperity Act

Bill NumberS 3401
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(1)
D: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.