The Workforce Apprenticeship Growth and Education Support Act, known as the WAGES Act of 2026, is designed to stimulate employer investment in apprenticeship programs through a tax credit. This initiative aims to tackle workforce shortages in high-demand industries while enhancing worker skills, ultimately benefiting the economy. The Act introduces a tax credit for eligible employers, allowing them to deduct 50 percent of wages paid to apprentices and associated program expenses from their payroll taxes.