Bill · H.R. 8181· House(119-HR-8181)
Critical Industry Skills Act
- Introduced
- 4/2/2026
- Last activity
- 4/2/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Sponsored by
- Mark Messmer
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The "Critical Industry Skills Act" proposes amendments to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act. It allows Governors to reserve up to 10 percent of certain funds to establish a critical industry skills fund or an industry or sector partnership and career pathways development fund. The bill also updates how funds are reallocated among local areas to include performance-based incentive payments. Additionally, it expands the scope of statewide employment and training activities. These changes include requirements for competency-based assessments and new ways to support workers through industry partnerships.
Yes· 3 of 23
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?+5
The bill specifically includes support for youth age 18 through 24 in its skills development programs.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+5
The bill targets individuals facing economic disruption and those with barriers to employment to improve their earning potential.
Would people with disabilities be better off under this?+5
The bill explicitly prioritizes individuals with disabilities in its industry or sector partnerships.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Increased Training Opportunities: The creation of a critical industry skills fund allows for performance-based payments to entities providing skills development programs in industries and occupations identified by the Governor (Section 2(a)(3)(A)(i)).
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Support for Career Advancement: The industry or sector partnership and career pathways development fund aims to improve worker training, retention, and advancement (Section 4(5)(A)).
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Recognition of Skills: The bill encourages the use of competency-based assessments to award recognized postsecondary credentials or postsecondary credit toward a recognized postsecondary credential (Section 4(a)(2)(B)(viii)).
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Job Placement and Stability: Under the critical industry skills fund, payments to eligible entities are tied to successful program completion and six months of employment with a participating employer (Section 4(a)(4)(D)(i)(II)).
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Support for Vulnerable Populations: The industry or sector partnership fund prioritizes serving individuals with barriers to employment, including individuals with disabilities, disadvantaged youth, and those facing economic disruption (Section s 4(5)(B)(ii)).
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Access to Specialized Information: Statewide activities may include training staff to provide information about wage levels, available benefits, and opportunities for individuals with barriers to employment to enter in-demand sectors (Section 4(a)(2)(B)(iv)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Funding Limits for Small Employers: In the critical industry skills fund, the amount of federal funds an entity can receive is capped based on the size of the participating employer; for example, employers with 100 or more employees can only have 50 percent of the costs covered (Section 4(a)(4)(E)(i)).
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Restrictions on Grant Duration: Grants awarded under the industry or sector partnership and career pathways development fund are limited to a period of not more than 2 years (Section 4(5)(C)).
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Financial Constraints on Partnerships: An industry or sector partnership may not use more than 10 percent of its grant funds for administrative costs (Section 4(5)(H)(K)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Low Income Households+5Good For People With Disabilities+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Business Owners+4Good For Native Americans+4Good For Rural Residents+4Good For Students+4Good For Veterans+4Good For African Americans+3Good For Asian Americans+3Good For Hispanic Americans+3Good For Men+3Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Union Workers+3Good For White Americans+3Good For Women+3Good For Retirees+2Good For Seniors+2
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Poverty Reduction+4
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Small Business Support+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+3
- 4/2/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.