Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022
Floor Speech
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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the bill (H.R. 7622) to amend the Small Business Act to include requirements relating to apprenticeship program assistance for small business development centers, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows: H.R. 7622
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022''. SEC. 2. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ASSISTANCE.
Section 21(c)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 648(c)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (T), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in clause (v) of the first subparagraph (U) (relating to succession planning), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon;
(3) in second subparagraph (U) (relating to training on domestic and international intellectual property protections)--
(A) in clause (ii)(II), by striking the period at the end and inserting ``; and''; and
(B) by redesignating such subparagraph as subparagraph (V); and
(4) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(W) providing information and assistance to small business concerns, including by disseminating relevant information from the Department of Labor and other Federal agencies, on how to establish and improve--
``(i) work-based learning opportunities (as defined in section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302));
``(ii) apprenticeship programs registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; commonly known as the `National Apprenticeship Act'; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.);
``(iii) pre-apprenticeship programs; and
``(iv) job training programs.''.
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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7622, the Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022, introduced by Mr. Crow and cosponsored by Mr. Fitzgerald.
H.R. 7622 allows small business development centers to disseminate information from the Department of Labor regarding job training programs like apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, as well as other work-based learning opportunities.
Throughout the past year, small businesses have been hit hard by tightening labor markets, often struggling to compete with their larger counterparts. As the recovery continues, unemployment drops, and job openings grow to record heights, the smaller firms in our economy have found it harder than ever to recruit and retain qualified workers.
One of the most effective workforce training methods used in the U.S. today is the registered apprenticeship program, an earn-while-you-learn system that combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training. According to the Department of Labor, the average starting salary for a graduate of an apprenticeship program is $72,000, and businesses retain these employees at a rate of 92 percent.
Not only do apprenticeships provide a reliable pathway into the middle class for workers, but they also provide top-quality talent to the business that trained them.
With assistance provided by the SBDC network, more small firms will have access to resources to attract and retain high-quality talent, helping them both establish and improve these programs for their businesses while providing training opportunities and job security to workers.
I thank Mr. Crow for leading on this issue with a variety of hearings on the topic and for listening to witnesses as he worked to craft this legislation with Mr. Fitzgerald, Ms. Houlahan, and Mr. Garbarino. These bipartisan efforts will have a lasting impact on our Main Street firms.
I urge Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my time.
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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Colorado (Mr. Crow).
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Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, there is no question that small firms are facing the most dire consequences of a tight labor market. At a time when the economy is recovering and businesses are seeking to expand their operations, lack of access to a highly skilled workforce can be frustrating to business owners and harmful to their recovery.
Maintaining economic competitiveness on the world stage means investing in our workforce, and nobody is better equipped to do that than the small businesses fueling our economic recovery.
H.R. 7622 empowers SBDCs to expand workforce training resources to small employers struggling to find workers, which will, in turn, grow the skill sets of workers and the workforces of businesses.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7622, ``The Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022.''
This bill's purpose is to amend the Small Business Act requirements relating to apprenticeship program assistance for small business development centers, and other purposes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a labor shortage, that affected businesses in unimaginable ways, especially small businesses. Alarmingly, 23 percent of small businesses closed due to the pandemic and 20 percent of small businesses that were in their first year of operation also failed.
This is why now, more than ever, small businesses need our support by updating the laws that support them and to encourage apprenticeships.
I support this bill's effort to establish a clear and concise plan of action for programing and other resources from which small businesses and their employees can benefit.
I am in favor of this legislation because apprenticeships are tangible opportunities for successful workplace development. They enable young workers to gain on-the job training with educational resources that deliver practical experience and skills, equipping them for future career opportunities.
This ``learn as you work'' style gives access to people who may not be able to purse traditional educational routes.
Historically, apprenticeships focused on skills for a narrow range of industries that could also benefit from the academic credit and mentorship opportunities. For employers finding a hard time hiring qualified employees, apprenticeships are a direct investment that small businesses realize will successfully impact them.
Madam Speaker, this bill will provide much needed assistance to businesses and enable them to continue their good work of providing training skills that will allow opportunities for employees to succeed in the workplace. This legislation will prepare workers for the 21st century workforce, while helping businesses find the skilled employees they need to compete.
I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of H.R. 7622.
SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that the House suspend the rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7622.
The question was taken.
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