House bill eases HVAC training costs

As part of the “big, beautiful bill” passed by the House of Representatives last week, an education-focused savings plan will be expanded to help individuals nationwide pay for HVAC training programs.

The big picture: The move reflects the Trump administration’s broader efforts to bolster the skilled trades, following an initiative announced in April to add one million new apprentices. 

What’s happening: The bill expands eligibility for 529 savings plans — investment accounts that let Americans cover qualified educational expenses without paying federal taxes — to include a wider range of workforce programs. 

• With the expansion, “Families could use these accounts to pay for expenses related to industry-recognized certifications, professional licensing, continuing education, and registered apprenticeships,” ACCA writes.
• Zoom in: Those expenses include tuition, supplies, and testing fees, among others, and the expansion applies to programs listed under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). See eligible programs

School’s out: “This move cuts out-of-pocket training costs for the next generation of HVACR professionals while empowering more families to invest early in career education outside of a traditional college path,” ACCA adds. 

What’s next: The new rule will become effective once the bill, which now heads to the Senate, is signed by President Trump — Congress aims to deliver a final version to his desk by July 4.