Next week, the U.S. House of Representatives is expected to consider the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act (H.R. 803). The bill proposes to reauthorize the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) while consolidating 35 job training programs in a single block grant to states. On March 6, 2013, the House Education and the Workforce Committee passed the bill 23-0. Democratic members of the committee walked out on the vote to protest the partisan process being used to advance the bill.
In particular, Goodwill is concerned about the SKILLS Act’s proposal to create a single block grant. The block grant’s funds would be allocated to states and localities through a formula that equally weighs the number of people in states and localities who are unemployed, participating in the labor market, unemployed long term (15 weeks or more) or who are disadvantaged youth. Goodwill is concerned that this one-size-fits-all approach lacks the sophistication needed to meet that the unique needs of populations such as older workers, youth, veterans and people with criminal backgrounds.
Furthermore, Goodwill is disappointed that partisan politics have prevented needed improvements for nearly 10 years. Rather than engaging in unproductive and divisive debates, Goodwill urges Congress to focus its attention on the outcomes we need from our workforce system, and the elements that are needed to achieve them.
Action Needed
Members of Congress need to hear from their constituents that job training is important to our economic recovery. At a time when unemployment remains high, these resources are an important part of the nation’s economic recovery and job creation effort, Congress should set partisan differences aside and create a comprehensive workforce system that serves employers and people.
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