Walsh expands job opportunities, provides tax credits for Montana businesses

Senator John Walsh today cosponsored bipartisan legislation to encourage businesses to hire young workers by providing tax credits for apprenticeships.

The Leveraging and Energizing America’s Apprenticeship Programs Act (LEAP) https://beta.congress.gov/113/bills/s2234/BILLS-113s2234is.pdf allows employers to provide on-the-job training to new hires as they advance the high-skills needed for their field. Employers would receive up to a $1,500 tax credit for apprentices. Employers can claim the credit for two years for each apprentice.

"Apprenticeships are a great way to recruit and train workers in Montana," Walsh said. "Creating more opportunities for apprenticeships will help fill the shortage of high-skilled labor needed for the 21st century economy. This legislation is good for workers, good for Montana’s economy, and good for business."

"Dozens of apprentices come through our program each year to improve their trade and gain vital experience," said Sean Smith, Business Manager of Local Union 41 Plumbers and Pipe fitters. "A good apprenticeship will lead to a good job with a quality wage for our members and their families."

The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a database of registered apprenticeship opportunities that range from construction and advanced manufacturing to health care. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, about 164,000 people entered the registered apprenticeship program in 2013, a 40 percent decrease since 2002