Congress has delivered a long-awaited victory for American workforce development in the form of the bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1151/S. 756), which was part of the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) Act.
For PRINTING United Alliance, a member of Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition, this marks a major milestone. Since the bill’s original introduction in the 118th Congress, under the Biden administration, the Alliance has championed its passage as a critical step toward modernizing how individuals can access and finance career and skill-based training.
A Legislative Win: The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act
The Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act expands the use of 529 education savings accounts beyond traditional college/university tuition. For the first time, individuals can use tax-free 529 funds to cover:
- Post-secondary training and industry certifications
- Professional licenses and exam fees
- Study courses, textbooks, and required equipment
This change transforms 529 accounts into flexible, lifelong learning tools—supporting pathways to good-paying, skilled careers in manufacturing and the printing sector.
Why It Matters for the Printing Industry
The printing industry is experiencing a significant workforce shortage, with more job openings than available workers. For example, three-quarters of U.S. printers struggle to hire qualified press and bindery operators. This shortage is driven by a combination of factors, including demographic shifts and changing worker preferences.
By expanding access to alternative credentials and nontraditional education paths, the law strengthens the workforce pipeline and supports the narrative that print is a modern, tech-driven career destination.
Notably, courses offered by the Alliance’s iLEARNING+ education and training platform, as well as certifications, will now be eligible for coverage by 529 savings plans.
A Cautionary Note
Despite this workforce development win, the broader One Big Beautiful Bill reduces funding by 35% for workforce development and training. In her July 8 article, the Alliance’s Adriane Harrison highlights a 47% cut to the national Registered Apprenticeship system funding, despite the Trump administration’s goal of adding 1 million new apprentices by August 21, 2025. Additionally, a 56% cut in funding for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) will stifle the ability of states to provide career and training services to millions of job seekers.
These funding cuts are problematic, because jobs that require skills training are the backbone of the American economy. When workers have access to the career and training services they seek, they gain better jobs, strengthen their families, uplift their communities, and help drive the nation’s economic growth.
Bottom Line
The inclusion of the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act in the OBBB package is a significant achievement for the Alliance and its members. It opens new pathways to employment, helps close the skills gap, and enhances the long-term competitiveness of the printing industry.
With the right investments and forward-thinking policies like the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act, we can build a more inclusive economy—one that empowers America’s evolving workforce and ensures the printing industry continues to thrive.
In this article, Stephanie Buka, Government Affairs Manager, PRINTING United Alliance, reports on federal workforce development. More information can be found at Business Excellence-Legislation or reach out to Steph should you have additional questions specific to how these issues may affect your business: sbuka@printing.org.
To become a member of the Alliance and learn more about how our subject matter experts can assist your company with services and resources such as those mentioned in this article, please contact the Alliance membership team: 888-385-3588 / membership@printing.org.