H.R. 9955: Pathway to Trades Act

This bill would make a small change to the federal Higher Education Act to encourage colleges and universities that participate in the Federal Perkins Loan program to support students interested in trade careers.

What the bill would require

• It would add a new condition for schools that enter agreements under the Federal Perkins Loan program.
• Those schools would need to:
• name a faculty member or staff member to serve as a contact person for students studying, or considering studying, trades; and
• develop courses related to trades.

What “trades” means in practice

The bill does not define a specific list of trades in the text provided, but in ordinary use this usually refers to skilled jobs such as construction, plumbing, electrical work, welding, HVAC, automotive repair, and similar career pathways.

Overall effect

In practical terms, the bill would try to make colleges more responsive to students who want trade-oriented education by making sure they have a designated point of contact and offering more trade-related coursework. It does not appear to create a new federal grant or loan program, and it does not directly change student loan terms; it mainly adds a requirement for schools participating in this part of the federal loan system.

Relevant Companies

None found