H.R. 9052: Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2026 (119th Congress) Bill Summary

This bill, titled the Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2026, aims to amend the Small Business Act to enhance support for small businesses specifically through apprenticeship programs and work-based learning opportunities. Below are the key components of what the bill would do:

Amendments to Small Business Act

The bill proposes changes to Section 21(c)(3) of the Small Business Act. Some specific amendments include:

Adding new requirements for small business development centers to provide information and assistance about various training and apprenticeship opportunities.
Expanding the focus to include work-based learning opportunities, registered apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship programs, and job training programs, thereby increasing the resources available for small businesses to find and develop talent.

Information and Assistance

One of the new provisions includes requiring small business development centers to disseminate relevant information from the Department of Labor and other federal agencies. This information would help small businesses:

Establish and improve work-based learning opportunities as defined by existing educational legislation.
Set up and enhance registered apprenticeship programs that comply with federal standards.
Develop pre-apprenticeship programs that prepare individuals for apprenticeships.
Implement job training programs to ensure potential employees are ready for the workforce.

Goals of the Bill

The overarching goal of this legislation is to strengthen the workforce pipeline for small businesses by:

Encouraging the adoption of apprenticeship and job training programs.
Providing small businesses with the necessary tools and resources to better train employees and secure skilled labor.
Ultimately, fostering economic growth by enhancing the skills of the workforce available to small businesses.

Potential Impact

This bill aims to facilitate better connections between small businesses and potential employees through improved training programs, thereby helping small businesses thrive in an evolving job market.