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H.R. 2697House117th Congress (2021-2023)In Committee

21st Century Transportation Workforce Development Act

Sponsored by James R. LangevinRep. James R. Langevin (D-RI)
Introduced April 20, 2021

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 1:56 AM UTC

The 21st Century Transportation Workforce Development Act creates a task force within the Department of Transportation to study and recommend ways to build a modern surface‑transportation workforce. It directs the task force to assess current and future job needs, identify and remove barriers, promote diversity, and expand apprenticeship and education pathways. The effort targets industry employers, labor groups, students, educators, and underrepresented populations seeking careers in surface transportation.

Key Provisions

  • The Secretary of Transportation must establish the task force within 90 days of the law’s enactment.
  • The task force must deliver recommendations and strategies to the Secretary within 12 months, covering workforce evaluation, barriers, technology impacts, diversity, education outreach, and apprenticeship pathways.
  • The task force’s membership must be equally balanced between surface‑transportation industry representatives, labor organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.
  • The task force may consult with local educational agencies, higher‑education institutions, and state workforce development boards.
  • The Secretary must submit the task force’s report to the House Transportation and Senate Environment committees within 60 days after the recommendations are submitted.
  • The task force will operate without compensation and will dissolve once the required report is submitted.
  • The task force must identify potential funding sources, such as grants and scholarships, to support training and apprenticeship programs.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions
HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Highways and Transit Subcommittee

April 21, 2021

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 20, 2021

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee

April 20, 2021

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Highways and Transit Subcommittee

April 21, 2021

Bill Text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 20, 2021

I

117th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 2697

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 20, 2021

Mr. Langevin (for himself and Mr. McKinley) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

A BILL

To establish a task force on developing a 21st century surface transportation workforce, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the 21st Century Transportation Workforce Development Act.

2.

Task force on developing a 21st century surface transportation workforce

(a)

In general

Not later than 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Transportation shall establish a task force on developing a 21st century surface transportation workforce (in this section referred to as the Task Force).

(b)

Duties

Not later than 12 months after the establishment of the Task Force under subsection (a), the Task Force shall develop and submit to the Secretary recommendations and strategies for the Department of Transportation to—

(1)

evaluate the current and future state of the surface transportation workforce, including projected job needs in the surface transportation sector;

(2)

identify factors influencing individuals pursuing careers in surface transportation, including barriers to attracting individuals into the surface transportation workforce;

(3)

address barriers to retaining individuals in surface transportation careers;

(4)

identify and address potential impacts of emerging technologies on the surface transportation workforce;

(5)

increase access for vulnerable or underrepresented populations, including women and minorities, to high-skill, in-demand surface transportation careers;

(6)

facilitate and encourage elementary, secondary, and post-secondary students in the United States to pursue careers in the surface transportation sector; and

(7)

identify and develop pathways for students and individuals to secure pre-apprenticeships, registered apprenticeships, and other work-based learning opportunities in the surface transportation sector of the United States.

(c)

Considerations

In developing recommendations and strategies under subsection (b), the Task Force shall—

(1)

identify factors that influence whether young people and underrepresented populations, including women and minorities, pursue careers in surface transportation;

(2)

consider how the Department of Transportation, businesses, industry, labor, educators, and other stakeholders can coordinate efforts to support qualified individuals in pursuing careers in the surface transportation sector;

(3)

identify methods of enhancing surface transportation pre-apprenticeships and registered apprenticeships, job skills training, mentorship, education, and outreach programs that are exclusive to young people in the United States; and

(4)

identify potential sources of funding, including grants and scholarships, that may be used to support young people and other qualified individuals in pursuing careers in the surface transportation sector.

(d)

Consultation

In developing the recommendations and strategies required under subsection (b), the Task Force may consult with—

(1)

local educational agencies (as such term is defined in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801)) and institutions of higher education (as such term is defined in section 101 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001)); and

(2)

State workforce development boards.

(e)

Report

Not later than 60 days after the submission of the recommendations and strategies under subsection (b), the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate a report containing such recommendations and strategies.

(f)

Composition of task force

The Secretary shall appoint members to the Task Force whose diverse background and expertise allow such members to contribute balanced points of view and ideas in carrying out this section, comprised of equal representation from each of the following:

(1)

Industries in the surface transportation sector.

(2)

Surface transportation sector labor organizations.

(3)

Such other surface transportation stakeholders and experts as the Secretary considers appropriate.

(g)

Period of appointment

Members shall be appointed to the Task Force for the duration of the existence of the Task Force.

(h)

Compensation

Task Force members shall serve without compensation.

(i)

Sunset

The Task Force shall terminate upon the submission of the report required under subsection (e).

(j)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Pre-apprenticeship

The term pre-apprenticeship means a training model or program that prepares individuals for acceptance into a registered apprenticeship and has a demonstrated partnership with 1 or more registered apprenticeships.

(2)

Registered apprenticeship

The term registered apprenticeship means an apprenticeship program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.; commonly known as the National Apprenticeship Act), that satisfies the requirements of parts 29 and 30 of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in effect on January 1, 2020).