A Stronger Workforce for America Act

Floor Speech

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Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the chairwoman for her leadership.

Mr. Speaker, I am proud to rise today in strong support of the A Stronger Workforce for America Act, which will strengthen the Federal workforce system and increase access to high-quality and in-demand jobs nationwide.

WIOA was successful in many respects, including supporting educational services to help adults develop basic skills and providing funding for vocational rehabilitation services for individuals with disabilities. However, additional reforms are needed to respond to the challenges employers face in filling millions of open jobs nationwide.

I am particularly pleased to see additional funding directed toward upskilling incumbent workers, including giving States new tools through the critical industry skills fund to help employers upskill, hire, and retain workers in critical industries.

I am also pleased to see additional emphasis on digital literacy within this legislation, as we all know that these skills are necessary to succeed today.

Together, these reforms will ensure workers remain relevant for the rapidly changing 21st century economy.

As the co-chair of the bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am grateful to see better alignment for State activities authorized through Perkins. This coordination will allow for expanded integrated education and training programs, assistance to providers in reporting participant outcomes, and additional materials to meet the needs of adult and English learners.

Additionally, local workforce development agencies will now be able to relocate one-stop centers to CTE schools, creating a true hub for skills development.

Finally, I am pleased to see my bipartisan legislation, the Creating Opportunities to Thrive and Advance Act, included in this legislation. This will bolster career counseling programs and allow for public outreach to educate Americans on the many opportunities the workforce system can provide them. Together, these provisions fuel innovation.

Mr. Speaker, I urge all of my colleagues to support this legislation.

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