The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) is celebrating a landmark achievement in workforce development with the passage of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBB, H.R. 1). This monumental piece of legislation includes a long-sought policy victory: the creation of the Workforce Pell Grant program. This new initiative marks a major step forward in opening educational and training pathways for individuals pursuing careers in utility construction—an industry vital to America’s infrastructure and economic future.

Zack Perconti, NUCA’s Vice President of Government Affairs, shared the significance of this advancement:

“The Workforce Pell Grant program created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act is a transformative win for America’s utility construction workforce. By expanding Pell Grant access to qualified short-term training programs, this law facilitates a pathway for more individuals to gain the skills needed to thrive in our industry. It directly addresses the skilled labor shortage, fostering job creation and economic stability. With nearly 450,000 construction jobs needed in the next year, this program empowers workers and creates new opportunities to meet that demand, ensuring a robust pipeline of talent to build and maintain our nation’s critical infrastructure.”

NUCA commends President Donald Trump and Congress for championing this game-changing policy. By expanding Pell Grant eligibility to cover short-term training in fields like heavy equipment operation, modern trenchless technologies, welding, and machine repair, the law offers a lifeline to workers seeking rewarding careers—and to employers looking to fill crucial roles in a rapidly growing sector.

This win follows years of dedicated advocacy from NUCA and its members, including a focused effort during this year’s NUCA Washington Summit. On May 14, NUCA Chapters held over 100 meetings with House and Senate lawmakers, strongly urging support for workforce development investments that directly address labor shortages in construction and utility sectors.

One of the top legislative priorities discussed was the passage of the JOBS Act of 2025 (S. 383), as well as the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act (H.R. 6585). Key provisions from these bills were ultimately folded into the final version of H.R. 1, paving the way for the creation of the Workforce Pell Grant program.

Under the new law, federal Pell Grant eligibility has been expanded to include students without college degrees who are enrolled in qualified career and technical education (CTE) programs offering between 150 and 600 hours of instruction over 8 to 15 weeks. These Workforce Pell Grants will become available starting July 1, 2026.

By supporting accredited, short-term job training, the law makes it possible for more students to earn valuable industry credentials that lead to stable careers with strong earning potential. It’s a win not only for workers but also for the long-term resilience of America’s infrastructure.

The OBBB’s workforce provisions couldn’t come at a more crucial time. The utility construction industry needs to hire nearly 450,000 workers in the next year to keep up with demand—and nearly half of the water utility workforce is projected to retire within the next decade. With support from Congress, the new Workforce Pell Grant program will help close this labor gap, paving the way for more than 800,000 new jobs over the next 20 years while delivering essential services like clean water, sewer, broadband, and energy to communities nationwide.

At Georgia Underground Superstore, we're proud to stand with NUCA in supporting the future of utility construction. As a leading supplier of tools, equipment, and materials for underground and aerial utility work, we understand the critical role that skilled labor plays in building and maintaining America’s infrastructure. We’re committed to supporting workforce development initiatives and providing the products and knowledge contractors need to get the job done right.

Find all gear and equipment here: Georgia Underground Superstore - GUS