Coalition of Over 70 Organizations Endorses Rep. Sherrill's Bipartisan Workforce Development Legislation

Press Release

Washington, DC---- The Expanding Pathways to Employment Act, introduced by Representative Mikie Sherrill (NJ-11) and Republican Representative David McKinley (WV-01) last month, was endorsed by a coalition of over 70 workforce, education, and community advocacy organizations led by America Forward.

This bipartisan legislation would assist Americans who lost their jobs during the COVID-19 pandemic in finding new, good-paying employment by providing grant funding for the operation and expansion of evidence-based workforce development and post-secondary education programs and for the further evaluation of these programs.

"As our economy continues to recover from this devastating pandemic, millions of Americans are still facing challenges reentering the workforce. Helping provide the ability to transition to new jobs and industries will be key to the strength of our long-term recovery," said Rep. Sherrill. "I am so proud that this legislation received the endorsement of over 70 organizations because they know this bill will be incredibly helpful as people seek to take advantage of new opportunities in the workforce. I look forward to working with these groups and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation through Congress, get it signed into law, and help us build a recovery that works for everyone."

"As we emerge from the pandemic and work to avoid a "K-shaped" recovery that could leave behind rural communities, communities of color, individuals with barriers to employment, and families experiencing poverty, we have an opportunity to scale more inclusive and effective models for economic mobility," writes the coalition of organizations in their endorsement letter. "The Expanding Pathways to Employment Act is a transformative new bill that would begin to upend this inequitable and unjust status quo. Thank you for championing this evidence-driven, equity-oriented legislation."

The group of over 70 endorsers includes organizations such as America Forward, Arnold Ventures, Braven, Economic Mobility Corporation, Jewish Vocational and Career Counseling Service, New York City Employment and Training Coalition, Nurse-Family Partnership, Per Scholas, Project Quest, Results for America, Year Up, and YouthBuild USA.

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