The Mentoring to Succeed Act of 2025 proposes to establish a new competitive grant program within the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, specifically under a new section titled "Youth Mentoring Programs." The primary purpose of this program is to provide financial assistance for the establishment, expansion, or enhancement of mentoring initiatives for eligible youth. These initiatives are designed to foster the development of cognitive and social-emotional skills, ultimately preparing young individuals for successful transitions into high school, postsecondary education, and the workforce.

Grants will be awarded by the Secretary to eligible entities, defined as community-based organizations or covered partnerships that offer both mentoring services and youth workforce readiness programming. The bill broadly defines "eligible youth" to include in-school and out-of-school youth, with specific criteria to encompass those facing significant challenges such as academic struggles, chronic absenteeism, involvement in high-risk communities, parental incarceration, or adverse childhood experiences.

Authorized activities for grant recipients include establishing or supporting mentoring programs that link youth with trained and screened adult or peer mentors. These programs must provide structured, consistent relationships for at least one year, focusing on enrichment, educational and workforce success, risk minimization, and social skill development. Mentors are required to receive training in areas such as trauma-informed practices, cultural competency, and social-emotional learning, and must undergo thorough background checks.

A significant component of the grant program involves providing comprehensive youth workforce readiness programming. This includes activities like career awareness, academic and postsecondary education preparation, and support for career pathways. Grantees are encouraged to offer various work experiences, such as paid employment, pre-apprenticeships, apprenticeships, internships, and on-the-job training, alongside occupational skill training that can lead to recognized postsecondary credentials aligned with in-demand industries.

The Secretary will prioritize grant applications from entities that serve eligible youth with the greatest need, particularly those residing in high-poverty communities, rural areas, or communities with high rates of violence or other health and safety risks. Priority is also given to programs that offer extensive postsecondary education preparation and career development opportunities, and those that actively engage eligible youth in the program's development and implementation. Grantees will be required to submit annual reports detailing participant demographics, academic outcomes, employment data, and social-emotional development, while ensuring student privacy.

Finally, the bill mandates a study by the Secretary of Labor, through the Chief Evaluation Officer, to identify successful mentoring programs and assess the effectiveness of this new grant program on student academic outcomes and youth career development. This study's findings are to be submitted to Congress within three years of the Act's enactment, providing valuable insights into the program's impact.