By Laura Walling, Senior Director of Government Relations, Goodwill Industries International
It is clear that the Build Back Better Act passed by the House will not garner the 50 Democrat votes needed to pass the Senate as written. As Congress continues to negotiate a parred back version of the bill, it is critical that a strong investment in workforce development remains.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced millions of Americans out of the workforce and demonstrated the importance of providing quality training to help workers and businesses succeed in the modern economy. The House passed Build Back Better Act, invested in workforce training programs and other services, to connect workers with good-paying jobs and provide businesses a new pipeline of talented employees. This type of investment is critical to preparing the workforce needed to improve the nation’s infrastructure.
A skilled workforce is a necessary prerequisite for building and modernizing the physical and digital infrastructure, which serves as the foundation for the wider American economy. The system to reskill, upskill, and train workers to build and improve upon this foundation is already in place. Local Goodwill® organizations around the country are proud to play a role in the workforce development system, operating American Job Centers and career centers that prepare job seekers for in-demand careers by guiding and supporting them in learning new skills, earning credentials, creating resumes, and preparing for interviews.
By making critical investment in workforce development, this system can reach even more Americans and help them find rewarding careers.
Join us in our outreach to lawmakers and help ensure that robust federal funding for workforce development is prioritized in any future recovery package.
Click here to take action via GII’s Legislative Action Center and contact your members of Congress today.
