By Laura Walling, Senior Director of Government Relations, Goodwill Industries International
The bipartisan Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act of 2023 (H.R. 793/S. 161) was recently reintroduced in the House and Senate. If enacted, federal Pell Grant eligibility would be expanded to high-quality, short-term job training programs. Original sponsors include Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mike Braun (R-IN), and Representatives Bill Johnson (R-OH), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Michael Turner (R-OH).
Students enrolled currently in short-term training programs like many of those implemented by local Goodwill organizations are not eligible for Pell Grants. These restrictions leave out many programs provided over a short duration that provide the education and skills necessary for in-demand careers and culminate in meaningful credentials that place people on strong career pathways in critical in-demand sectors like IT, health care, and manufacturing.
Those seeking short-term skills training programs to advance their careers should receive investments in the same way we invest in those obtaining a two-year or four-year degree. Visit our Legislative Action Center to take action and ask your lawmakers to co-sponsor this important legislation valuable to employers and workers looking to advance their careers and improved their skills.
