Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship

Full Title:
Reducing Arbitrary Barriers to Apprenticeship Act of 2026

Summary#

This Act changes parts of title 38 and title 10 of the United States Code so veterans, service members, and selected reservists who choose apprenticeship or other on-the-job training instead of a four‑year college degree are not disadvantaged in educational assistance. Key changes in the text provided: it sets the monthly housing stipend for full-time apprenticeships to the amount of the basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents in the military housing area that covers the employer's ZIP code; it makes full-time apprenticeship or on-job training count as 100 percent of a month of educational assistance in certain programs; and it creates an exception to minimum attendance rules for apprenticeships or on-job training in occupations classified in Sector 23 of the North American Industry Classification System (construction).

What it means for you#

  • Veterans and service members who choose full-time apprenticeships or on-the-job training may receive a housing stipend tied to the military basic allowance for housing for an E-5 with dependents in the employer area.
  • Full-time apprenticeship or on-job training will be treated as full months of educational assistance under the affected chapters for the programs named in the bill.
  • People in construction apprenticeships (NAICS Sector 23) may be eligible for assistance even if they do not meet the usual minimum attendance requirement.
  • The changes apply to Post-9/11 educational assistance, the All-Volunteer Force educational assistance program, and educational assistance for members of the Selected Reserve as described in the text.

Expenses#

No publicly available information.

Proponents' View#

The text states the purpose is to “eliminate those provisions… that disadvantage eligible individuals who choose to pursue programs of apprenticeship or other on-job training instead of a four-year college degree.” The changes aim to remove deterrents to apprenticeships by increasing housing stipend parity, ensuring full-month credit for full-time apprenticeships, and waiving minimum attendance rules for construction apprentices.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information.