Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act of 2022

Floor Speech

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Ms. KAPTUR. Madam Speaker, I thank Chairman Scott for his astounding leadership on this critical jobs training bill and for yielding me time. I thank Ranking Member Foxx so very much for her support of this effort.

Today, I urge my colleagues to support a bipartisan amendment to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act that I have proposed alongside Representatives Kelly, Dingell, and Ryan.

As we set about this new era of automotive and vehicular innovation, it is crucial that we invest in the workers who are the backbone of this uniquely American industry.

This amendment will create a pathway for the Federal Department of Labor and other Federal agencies to conduct a study on the automotive service technician and vehicle mechanic workforce and help promote apprenticeships to meet the increasing need of this advanced sector. Already, America is short 1 million trained workers across our Nation, and we haven't gotten started. We are not off the starting line.

Electric-, hydrogen-, and biofuel-powered vehicle technology brings new opportunities and new challenges. To be ready, we must proactively stand up for training and apprenticeship programs that prepare America's vehicular workforce for the next generation.

The motor vehicle industry has long served as a gateway to the middle class, and this amendment allows the Federal Government to take deliberate steps to ensure our workers are top of mind, not left behind.

It is vital that we invest in the workers who make, build, and grow America and, frankly, power her. I ask that my colleagues join me in passing this important amendment.

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