Duckworth Proposals Included in House Make It In America Plan

Press Release

Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth (IL-08) today announced that two of her bills are included in the new Make It In America plan proposed by House Democrats to expand entrepreneurship and innovation, close the skills gap, build a 21st century infrastructure, and break down barriers to manufacturing. The plan, led by Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer (MD-05), includes the Congresswoman's bipartisan Career and Technical Education (CTE) Opportunity Act to help reduce the burden of student loan debt while closing the skills gap as well as her Community College to Career (CC2C) Fund Act, which would also help close the skills gap by supporting partnerships between community colleges and local businesses. More information about these bills is included below.

"I'm pleased to include two bills sponsored by Rep. Duckworth -- the Career and Technical Education Opportunity Act and the Community College to Career Fund Act -- in the new Make It In America plan," said Whip Hoyer while announcing the inclusion of Duckworth's bills in the Make It In America plan. "Rep. Duckworth's bills will help close the skills gap by increasing access to career and technical education programs and expanding public-private partnerships to strengthen relationships between community colleges and local employers. I thank Rep. Duckworth for her commitment to ensuring more Americans are equipped with in-demand skills so that they can get ahead in today's economy and make it in America."

The bipartisan CTE Opportunity Act would help ease the burden of student loan debt, close the skills gap and increase the number of graduates ready for the positions employers are seeking to fill. The legislation , which is cosponsored by Congressional Career & Technical Education Caucus co-chairs Representatives Glenn "GT" Thompson (R-PA) and Jim Langevin (D-RI), would remove antiquated eligibility restrictions that prevent students enrolled in many CTE programs from receiving federal student aid, providing them greater opportunity to earn industry-recognized credentials that are often needed to secure higher-paying jobs without amassing significant student debts.

"Throughout the 8th District, across Illinois and around the country, job-creators and entrepreneurs are struggling to find qualified applicants for unfilled jobs," said Congresswoman Duckworth when introducing the legislation. "At the same time, young people graduating from school with massive student loan debts are having just as much trouble finding good jobs. We have to do more for our students and for our small businesses, and that means bridging the skills gap. By helping curb the rising cost of higher education and encouraging more students to enroll in "ready to work' programs, that's what the bipartisan Duckworth-Costello CTE Opportunity Act aims to do."

The CC2C Act would help close skills gap, which makes it difficult for small businesses and other employers to find qualified candidates for unfilled jobs, by supporting innovative partnerships between community colleges, technical colleges and businesses to train students to fill high-demand jobs. The Community College to Career (CC2C) Fund Act builds off of successful public-private partnerships like the Zurich Insurance Apprenticeship at Harper College or the new Kenmode Tool & Die Making Apprenticeship program at Elgin Community College, bringing two-year colleges and area businesses together nationwide with the aim of training millions of Americans for jobs in high-skill industries. Duckworth introduced the legislation with Senator Al Franken (D-MN).

"I am proud to join Senator Al Franken to introduce the Community College to Career Fund Act, which promotes partnerships between community colleges and local businesses to train workers for well-paying jobs in high-demand industries," said Congresswoman Duckworth when introducing the legislation. "I have heard from employers throughout the 8th District and across Illinois, and one of their main concerns is the shortage of qualified applicants for their unfilled jobs. Having access to innovative workforce development programs, like those at Harper College and Elgin Community College, is vital to supporting our local economies and keeping America competitive. The CC2C Act will give community colleges the resources they need to address the skills gap not only in manufacturing but other sectors like health care, clean energy and IT."

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