This bill aims to expand education and training opportunities for jobs in the energy and manufacturing sectors, particularly for underrepresented groups. It directs the Department of Energy to prioritize such programs when awarding grants, and to establish a clearinghouse to provide information and technical assistance on workforce development in these fields.
Latest Action
Referred to the Subcommittee on Energy, Climate and Grid Security.
AI Summary
Plain-English explanation of this bill
This bill aims to expand education and training opportunities for jobs in the energy and manufacturing sectors, particularly for underrepresented groups. It directs the Department of Energy to prioritize such programs when awarding grants, and to establish a clearinghouse to provide information and technical assistance on workforce development in these fields.
Last updated: 12/29/2025
Official Summary
Congressional Research Service summary
<p><strong>Widening Opportunities to Recapture Key Energy Roles Act or the WORKER Act</strong></p><p>This bill directs the Department of Energy (DOE), when considering awards for existing grant programs, to prioritize education and training for energy and manufacturing-related jobs. Further, DOE must prioritize the education and training of underrepresented groups in such jobs.</p><p>In carrying out the bill, DOE must establish a clearinghouse to (1) maintain and update information and resources on training and workforce development programs for such jobs; and (2) provide technical assistance for states, schools, and other specified entities. DOE must also conduct outreach to minority-serving institutions of higher education and dislocated energy and manufacturing workers.</p><!--tinycomments|2.1|data:application/json;base64,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-->
Key Points
Main provisions of the bill
Prioritizes education and training for energy and manufacturing jobs when awarding DOE grants
Focuses on increasing participation of underrepresented groups in these sectors
Establishes a clearinghouse to provide information and technical assistance on workforce development programs
How This Impacts Americans
Potential effects on citizens and communities
If enacted, this bill would likely increase access to job training and career opportunities in the energy and manufacturing industries, particularly for women, racial/ethnic minorities, and other underrepresented populations. This could expand the talent pool and create more diverse workforces in these important economic sectors.
Policy Areas
Primary Policy Area
Energy
Related Subjects
Alternative and renewable resources
Coal
Congressional oversight
Electric power generation and transmission
Employment and training programs
Energy efficiency and conservation
Higher education
Intergovernmental relations
Manufacturing
Mining
+9 more
Scope & Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction Level
federal
Congressional Session
119th Congress
Citation Reference
3699, 119th Congress (2025). "Energy Choice Act". Source: Voter's Right Platform. https://votersright.org/bills/118-hr-3699
