Rep. Schneider Provisions to Close Skills Gap, Expand On-the-Job Training Pass U.S. House

Press Release

Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Includes Key Language from Schneider's AMERICA Works Act, LEARN Act

The U.S. House passed the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, which included key elements of U.S. Congressman Brad Schneider's (IL-10) AMERICA Works Act and LEARN Act. The bill now goes to the President for his signature.

The AMERICA Works Act would bring educators and industry together to develop better skills training programs. The LEARN Act would expand On-the-Job training programs that have proven to be effective at helping to train and retrain American workers who are looking for work.

"One of the most common challenges I hear from the many employers I visit in my district is that they have numerous job openings, but they are struggling to find qualified workers with the specific skills needed for those jobs," Schneider said. "The bipartisan legislation Congress passed, including key elements of two bills I introduced to help close the skills gap and expand job training programs, is an important win for our businesses and our workers. As our economy continues toward recovery and workers adjust to a rapidly changing marketplace, it's critical that we equip our workforce with the skills needed to compete, and this bill helps accomplish just that."

As a member of the House Small Business Committee, Congressman Schneider has been active in working to help small businesses thrive. He started the "Brad at Your Business" initiative, a series of tours and employee town halls at small and medium-sized businesses across the Tenth District. To date, he has visited more than 70 businesses.

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