The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) and other federal programs like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have started a massive rebuilding of America’s transportation and energy infrastructure with fiscal support for state and local projects over the next five years. This first wave of funding in the BIL targets transportation areas like roads, bridges, rail and transportation hubs but the target areas for infrastructure funding will change each and grow with each new release of covered programs. The Inflation Reduction Act provides tax credits and direct pay eligibility on a host of different clean energy production and climate investment projects. A list of programs covered in the Department of Transportation's current wave of infrastructure funding can be found here. Eligible energy programs for the Inflation Reduction Act can be found here.

While there are several criteria for how the Federal government determines grant recipients and tax credits, the creation of good jobs through projects with commitments to strong labor standards and practices is key. Registered apprenticeships, prevailing wage and other labor standards in your applications can help reduce costs and secure federal funding for your projects, all while creating good jobs in your community.

By all indications, apprenticeship will need to greatly expand to meet the demands of Massachusetts’ booming construction industry — the federal government has created incentives in their infrastructure funding to encourage that growth.