Apprenticeship readiness programming funding provided, and money appropriated.

HF 1216 appropriates $400,000 for fiscal year 2026 and $400,000 for fiscal year 2027 from the workforce development fund to fund a statewide apprenticeship readiness program. The grant supports Building Strong Communities, Inc. to prepare women, Black, Indigenous, and People of Color, and veterans for careers in the building and construction industries. This one-time funding creates a targeted initiative to increase workforce diversity in skilled trades through program access and training. The bill directly affects the specified demographic groups and the organization administering the program.