FASTPORT

In 1972, Senator Claiborne Pell created the federal grant that bears his name, with a singular goal: make higher education accessible regardless of income. For 54 years, "higher education" meant a degree. Vocational training, the kind that fills the jobs the economy actually needs, was excluded.

On July 1, 2026, that changes.

The Workforce Pell Grant is the first time Congress has extended federal student aid to short-term, non-degree vocational programs. Up to $7,000. Eight to fifteen weeks. Careers, not credentials for their own sake.

The timing reflects something real: the U.S. has a structural shortage of skilled workers. The DOL consistently flags truck driving, advanced manufacturing, healthcare support, and IT as critical gaps. Fifty-four years of policy defaulted to the four-year degree while those gaps widened.

Fastport has spent years helping employers build registered apprenticeship programs that create strong, sustainable workforce pipelines. The Workforce Pell Grant is the policy infrastructure those programs have been waiting for.

20 days to go. Is your program ready?

📅 Schedule a discovery meeting with our team: https://scheduler.zoom.us/fastport/discovery-meeting

📋 Learn more: https://nationalapprenticeship.org/workforce-pell-grants

Workforce Pell Grants — National Apprenticeship On July 1, 2026, the Workforce Pell Grant becomes federal law. Authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it opens up to $7,000 in federal financial aid for short-term vocational training — 8 to 15 weeks, 150 to 599 clock hours, with programs vetted for job placement and wage outcomes. For t...

Join Dave Harrison and Andia Dinesen, AFC® from the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA) for a free webinar on the value veterans bring to registered apprenticeship programs and how leadership skills, discipline, and adaptability instilled by service can make former and transitioning service members ideal apprenticeship candidates.

June 18th | 2:00pm - 3:00pm ET

https://www.moaa.org/content/events/transition-and-career/apprenticeship-pathway-to-success/

FREE MOAA WEBINAR: What Veterans Should Know About Registered Apprenticeship Programs Join us June 18 to better understand this proven method to begin, and advance, in high-demand fields.

We are heartbroken by the loss of Steve Janke. His passion for serving veterans and military families left an immeasurable impact on so many, and his legacy will not be forgotten. ❤️ We will carry his mission forward.

Remember. Honor. Never Forget.

Can't find enough qualified candidates? That's the #1 challenge employers tell us they face.

The Workforce Pell Grant, effective July 1, is about to widen the pipeline. Federal aid of up to $7,000 for short-term vocational training means more workers can afford the credentials your jobs require.

Is your apprenticeship program ready to scale? Our registration-ready national program standards are already aligned with DOL requirements and Workforce Pell eligibility, so you're not building this alone or from scratch.

📅 Schedule a call to learn more: https://scheduler.zoom.us/fastport/discovery-meeting
📋 https://nationalapprenticeship.org/workforce-pell-grants

Workforce Pell Grants — National Apprenticeship On July 1, 2026, the Workforce Pell Grant becomes federal law. Authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, it opens up to $7,000 in federal financial aid for short-term vocational training — 8 to 15 weeks, 150 to 599 clock hours, with programs vetted for job placement and wage outcomes. For t...

Thank you for serving our country in uniform and behind the wheel!

May is National Military Appreciation Month, and we want to take a moment to recognize four of our drivers who proudly served our country before transitioning into the trucking industry.

We are proud to have professional drivers who can speak firsthand to the strong connection between military experience and careers in trucking. Their leadership, dedication, and service continue to make an impact both on and off the road.

Thank you to all who have served.

Mack Trucks Utility FASTPORT TravelCenters-TA-Petro Lowen Corporation

Big news for employers: in 43 days, the Workforce Pell Grant becomes law.

Starting July 1, eligible workers can access up to $7,000 in federal aid for short-term vocational training — and that directly expands the pipeline of qualified candidates coming your way.

We'll be sharing everything employers need to know over the next 6 weeks. Follow along — and if you want to get ahead of it now, schedule a call with our team.

📅 https://scheduler.zoom.us/fastport/discovery-meeting
📋 https://nationalapprenticeship.org/workforce-pell-grants

Zoom Scheduler Zoom external booking management

Big news! The Veteran Ready Summit is heading to West Point. There's no better fitting location for a gathering dedicated to raising the standard for veteran hiring, retention, and advancement.

December 14–15, 2026 · United States Military Academy, West Point, NY

150+ attendees. 50+ speakers. 6+ industries. One standard.

📌 Register via Whova → veteranreadysummit.org

📣 Speak at VRS 2026 — submissions open through September 7

On Armed Forces Day, we honor every man and woman who has worn the uniform, answered the call, and carried the weight so the rest of us don't have to.

To those still serving, and those who served before, thank you. We're grateful.