Bonamici Introduces 3 Bipartisan Bills to Expand Job Opportunities
WASHINGTON, DC [10/25/23] – Today Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) introduced a bipartisan package of legislation that will help people get quality jobs by increasing access to apprenticeships, workforce training programs, and youth career counseling programs.
The ACCESS Act – introduced with Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA) – would improve career counseling programs for youth to help them access high-skill, high-wage, and in-demand jobs.
The BUILDS Act – also co-led by Rep. Thompson – would provide workers with skills needed to fill infrastructure jobs by creating new grants for industry partnerships in the infrastructure sector. The bill includes funding for support services, such as child care and transportation, to help workers with program retention and completion.
The PARTNERS Act – co-led with Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Haley Stevens (D-MI), and Drew Ferguson (R-GA) – would establish a grant program to support the creation and expansion of industry partnerships to help small- and medium-sized businesses develop work-based learning programs and provide mentoring and support services for workers.
“Investing in workers and workforce training improves lives, strengthens the economy, and offers Oregonians and Americans a path to the middle class,” said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. “Supporting partnerships among businesses, colleges, and other organizations is vital to building a diverse pool of skilled workers. I’m grateful to work with my colleagues to introduce this bipartisan package of legislation to support workers and create more opportunities for people to access good-paying, in-demand jobs.”
"As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Career and Technical Education Caucus, I am proud to join Rep. Bonomici in introducing these two critical pieces of legislation that will help connect the next generation to in-demand jobs and support our nation's infrastructure," said Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson. "These bills continue to support Americans looking to climb the ladder of opportunity and develop skills to find high quality, family sustaining jobs."
“Small and medium sized businesses are the backbone of our Commonwealth and the backbone of our national economy,” said Congressman Brett Guthrie. “As I travel throughout my district, I hear from businesses far and wide that are facing increasing challenges due to rising costs and historically high inflation. This has made it increasingly difficult to fill workforce shortages across all industries. Apprenticeships are a great way for people to learn new applicable skills, while earning a paycheck, making apprenticeships a critical path into the workforce for many individuals. For these reasons, I am proud to once again co-lead the PARTNERS Act which will allow small and medium size businesses to join with community partners to create work-based opportunities for the individuals who need them the most.”
“Helping smaller businesses build out their training capacity is a win-win; it provides companies with much needed skilled labor and Americans with paths to good-paying, secure jobs,” said Rep. Haley Stevens. “The Promoting Apprenticeships through Regional Training Networks for Employers’ Required Skills (PARTNERS) Act will give small- and medium-sized businesses access to funding for workforce training programs, such as apprenticeships. I am proud to co-sponsor the PARTNERS Act because creative steps like these are critical to ensuring every American has access to a quality job and that we retain our competitive economic edge with the best workforce in the world.”
“In order to stay competitive on the world stage, communities across the country need the flexibility and resources to create work-based learning opportunities catered to their local job markets,” said Congressman Drew Ferguson. “In Georgia, employers are seeing the value of putting skills training directly in the workplace – and programs like the Central Education Center in Newnan have been implementing an innovative style of apprenticeship that prepares our young people for 21st century careers. I’m proud to reintroduce the PARTNERS Act, which is an innovative solution that give every American the opportunity to live the American dream."
The ACCESS Act has been endorsed by: Jobs for the Future, National Association of Workforce Boards, National Skills Coalition, ACTE, Advance CTE, American Federation of Teachers, National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues, and National Community Action Foundation. A summary of the ACCESS Act can be found here, and the full text can be found here.
The BUILDS Act has been endorsed by: Jobs for the Future, National Skills Coalition, ACTE, Advance CTE, National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and National Community Action Foundation. A summary of the BUILDS Act can be found here, and the full text can be found here.
The PARTNERS Act has been endorsed by: Jobs for the Future, National Skills Coalition, National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and National Community Action Foundation. A summary of the PARTNERS Act can be found here, and the full text can be found here.
"It is vital that the next generation of workers understand the educational and career opportunities available to them,” said Bradford C. Turner-Little, CEO, National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB). “Equally as important is having access to professional assistance in navigating those opportunities. NAWB is proud to endorse the ACCESS Act, which will ensure our youth gain high-quality, in-demand jobs through the public workforce development system."
“The bipartisan BUILDS, PARTNERS and ACCESS bills being introduced by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici are just what we need to support the workforce development efforts of our member organizations and the diverse women they are preparing to enter the construction workforce,” said Connie Ashbrook and Janelle DeJan, Co-Chairs, National Taskforce on Tradeswomen’s Issues. “These women will be important additions to the workers needed to repair and build our nation’s infrastructure.”
“As a country, we are making important investments in infrastructure, clean energy, and technology but the promise of these investments won’t be fully realized without the support of workers with the skills required to do the work. These bills will help us meet our nation’s workforce needs by bringing employers together, supporting workers’ access to skills training and supportive services, and providing our nation’s young people with awareness of the career opportunities available to them.” – National Skills Coalition
Bonamici is a co-chair of the Congressional Apprenticeship Caucus and the Career and Technical Education Caucus.
###