HB 600

HB600 INTRODUCED
1 HB600
2 11KWEL3-1
3 By Representatives Jones, Daniels, Drummond, McClammy, Lands,
4 Jackson, Warren, Rafferty, Morris, Hendrix, Travis, Datcher,
5 Sellers, McCampbell, Moore (M), Bracy, Tillman, Lawrence,
6 Chestnut, Hassell, Hall, Ensler, Hollis, Gray
7 RFD: Ways and Means General Fund
8 First Read: 10-Mar-26
  Page 0
11KWEL3-1 02/17/2026 PMG (L)cr 2025-3528
1
2
3
4 SYNOPSIS:
5This bill would create the Skilled Trades
6Workforce Recovery Program Act to provide full tuition
7for rural residents enrolled in eligible trade
8programs; provide grants to employers in rural areas
9who sponsor registered apprenticeships in high-demand
10fields; offer stipends to students and trainees for
11purchasing required tools or commuting to job sites and
12training facilities; fund a statewide campaign to
13promote trade careers; and to recognize prior work
14experience and military training toward trade
15certifications.
16This bill would require the Alabama Department
17of Workforce to administer the programs.
18
19
20A BILL
21TO BE ENTITLED
22AN ACT
23
24Skilled trades; to require Department of Workforce to
25 establish programs that provide full tuition for rural
26 residents enrolled in eligible trade programs, provide grants
27 to employers in rural areas who sponsor registered
28 apprenticeships in high-demand fields, offer stipends to
  Page 1
  HB600 INTRODUCED
29 students and trainees for purchasing required tools or
30 commuting to job sites and training facilities, and fund a
31 statewide campaign to promote trade careers; and to recognize
32 prior work experience and military training toward trade
33 certifications.
34 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF ALABAMA:
35Section 1. This act shall be known and may be cited as
36 the Skilled Trades Workforce Recovery Program Act.
37Section 2. The purpose of this act is to increase
38 workforce participation in high-demand skilled trades by
39 expanding access to affordable training and incentivizing
40 employer-based apprenticeships, especially in rural and
41 economically distressed areas.
42Section 3. For purposes of this act, the following
43 terms have the following meanings:
44(1) DEPARTMENT. The Department of Workforce.
45(2) ELIGIBLE PROGRAM. A trade certification program in
46 fields identified as high-need by the department.
47(3) RURAL AREA. A jurisdiction designated by the
48 department as rural based on population thresholds and
49 distance from major urban centers.
50Section 4. (a) Subject to the Legislature appropriating
51 funds for this purpose, the department shall establish and
52 administer the Tuition-Free Technical Training for Priority
53 Trades Program. The purpose of the program is to reimburse
54 public community colleges and technical schools for tuition
55 costs incurred by students who reside in rural areas and are
56 enrolled in eligible programs. The purpose of this program is
  Page 2
  HB600 INTRODUCED
57 to cover full tuition at two-year public institutions of
58 higher education for these students.
59(b) Students must maintain satisfactory academic
60 progress, as determined, by the department, to remain eligible
61 and must complete the program within three years.
62Section 5. (a) Subject to the Legislature appropriating
63 funds for this purpose, the department shall establish and
64 administer the Rural Apprenticeship Incentive Fund to provide
65 grants to employers in rural areas who sponsor registered
66 apprenticeships in high-demand fields such as welding,
67 transport requiring commercial driver licenses, electrical,
68 and HVAC.
69(b) The department shall provide grants of up to five
70 thousand dollars ($5,000) per apprentice to employers in rural
71 areas who:
72(1) Sponsor registered apprenticeships recognized by
73 the U.S. Department of Labor or the Department of Workforce;
74 and
75(2) Employ the apprentice for at least one year.
76(c) Grants may be used for wages, training materials,
77 or program administration.
78(d) The department may adopt rules as necessary to
79 implement this section.
80Section 6. (a) Subject to the Legislature appropriating
81 funds for this purpose, the department shall establish and
82 administer the Tools and Transportation Assistance Program.
83 The department shall provide stipends of up to one thousand
84 dollars ($1,000) per recipient to reimburse for:
  Page 3
  HB600 INTRODUCED
85(1) Required tools and safety equipment;
86(2) Reliable transportation to job sites or training
87 centers.
88(b) Funds shall be distributed based on financial need
89 and distance from the training site.
90(c) The department may adopt rules as necessary to
91 implement this section.
92Section 7. (a) Subject to the Legislature appropriating
93 funds for this purpose, the department shall design and
94 implement the Skilled Trades Education and Outreach Campaign
95 to fund a statewide campaign to promote trade careers to high
96 school students, parents, and job seekers.
97(b) The Skilled Trades Education and Outreach Campaign
98 shall:
99(1) Promote awareness of skilled trade careers; and
100(2) Highlight pathways through community colleges,
101 apprenticeships, and credentialing programs.
102(c) Materials shall be distributed through high
103 schools, career centers, and digital platforms.
104(d) The department may adopt rules as necessary to
105 implement this section.
106Section 8. (a) Subject to the Legislature appropriating
107 funds for this purpose, the department shall establish and
108 administer the Fast-Track Credential Recognition Initiative
109 Program to expedite recognition of prior work experience and
110 military training toward trade certifications.
111(b) The department shall work with credentialing bodies
112 to develop a system for recognizing:
  Page 4
  HB600 INTRODUCED
113(1) Prior work experience;
114(2) Military occupational training; and
115(3) Related nondegree credentials.
116(c) The program shall offer accelerated pathways to
117 trade certification based on documented prior learning.
118(d) The department may adopt rules as necessary to
119 implement this section.
120Section 9. This act shall become effective on July 1,
121 2026.
  Page 5