Congressman Castro Introduces Navigating to Success Act to Strengthen Career Pathways for Low-Income Workers

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joaquin Castro (TX-20) introduced the Navigating to Success Act, a bill that would allow organizations to use federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding to support proven career counseling and workforce navigation services.

"At Project QUEST in San Antonio and similar sites across the country, career navigation services have helped thousands of workers rise out of poverty and into the middle class. Unfortunately, under current federal law, these services are treated as administrative expenses, limiting the federal funding they can receive," said Congressman Joaquin Castro. "My bill -- the Navigating to Success Act -- makes a common-sense change to allow career navigation services to access more federal support. As we rebuild from the pandemic, expanding funding for Project QUEST's model will help more workers connect to the good-paying jobs they deserve."

"I commend Congressman Castro's efforts to ensure federal funding is made available to allow for the critical participant centered delivery of services such as case management, career navigation and job placement. These direct services are essential in workforce development," said David Zammiello, President and CEO, Project Quest.

Background

In March 2022, a study from Arnold Ventures found that Project QUEST's career navigation model increased annual earnings for participants by up to 20 percent.

The Navigating to Success Act is included the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) of 2022, legislation that reauthorizes funding to help job-seekers access employment, education, training, and support services.

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