# Rep. James Introduces Apprenticeship Bill

On October 5, 2026, U.S. Representative John James introduced H.R. 10560, the Skilled JOBS Act, and the bill was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. It would formalize Industry Recognized Apprenticeship Programs and establish a minimum ratio of one journeyman to three apprentices, with a required study that could inform an adjustment. For construction contractors and government buyers, the proposal could affect workforce availability and apprenticeship staffing practices if enacted; it is legislation, not an active contract or solicitation.

- Construction contractors may find expanded apprenticeship capacity relevant to workforce planning and future project staffing, but the proposed provisions are not yet law.
- Procurement professionals can account for the proposal as a potential change to the workforce environment for construction services; the signal identifies no contract opportunity, funding, or compliance deadline.
- The bill’s next identified step is consideration by the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Construction & Infrastructure, Education
**Topics:** Policy
**Published:** October 05, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. House of Representatives (House)
- House Committee on Education and Workforce

### Key Quotes
> The Skilled JOBS Act fixes it by recognizing the high-quality apprenticeship programs industry already runs and setting up a sensible floor of three apprentices for every Journeyman worker.
> — Tim Golding, State Director of Americans for Prosperity-Michigan

> Current regulations create an artificial bottleneck that is contributing to our labor shortage and driving up costs.
> — John James, U.S. Representative

### Sources
- [
	John James introduces Skilled JOBS Act to expand apprenticeship opportunities | U.S. Representative
](https://james.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1307) - James House