Levin, Bipartisan Group of Lawmakers Introduce Legislation to Help Students Access Training for In-Demand Jobs

Press Release

Today, Congressman Andy Levin (D-MI), along with Congressman Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH), Congressman Steven Horsford (D-NV), Congresswoman Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-WA), Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger (D-VA), Congressman John Katko (R-NY), Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Congresswoman Ashley Hinson (R-IA) and Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH) introduced the Jumpstart Our Businesses By Supporting Students (JOBS) Act, a bill that expands high quality workforce development opportunities for students and workers. The JOBS Act broadens Pell Grant eligibility for high-quality, short-term programs that can launch graduates into successful careers while also giving them paths to two- or four-year degrees.

"Our economy is only as strong as the next generation of American workers, particularly those facing the consequences of our country's massive income and wealth inequality," said Rep. Levin. "The key to ensuring young Americans transition seamlessly into good-paying careers is to make sure that high quality education and job training is affordable and accessible. Pell Grants have helped millions of Americans earn a better education and find a better job. I could not be more excited to partner with colleagues in both parties and both chambers to advance this vital piece of legislation."

"Especially amid the widespread job losses we've seen as a result of COVID-19, we have to update federal policies to better help Americans quickly enter or reenter the workforce," said Sen. Kaine. "The JOBS Act will be a critical tool in retraining workers and helping us build a more sustainable and equitable economy."

"As we start to turn the tide of the COVID-19 pandemic and work towards a full economic recovery, we must do a better job of ensuring that more Americans have the skills that match the jobs that are available today, and part of that is making sure that the federal government funding for education in flexible enough to pay for short-term training programs and credentials." said Sen. Portman. "We've got a lot of great job training programs in Ohio, but to many students are finding that the programs they want to take are not covered by the Pell Grant because they are shorter than the 15 week course requirement. The JOBS Act expands Pell Grant eligibility to help students get the job training they need for careers that will give them economic security and help them join the workforce. With some Americans now looking to start new jobs and careers due to COVID-19-related job loss, these training programs are more important than ever. The JOBS Act is a commonsense proposal with strong bipartisan support congressional leaders on both sides of the aisle. I look forward to moving this bill forward and getting it passed into law."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has forever changed the fabric of our economy, causing many to consider new career and workforce opportunities," Rep. Gonzalez said, "I am pleased to join my colleagues in re-introducing the JOBS Act today, which can help Americans as they consider new job opportunities and connect employers with dedicated employees to help bridge the skills gap in Ohio. It is imperative that Congress look for bipartisan solutions, like the JOBS Act, to get Americans back to work."

"As our economy begins to recover, we must ensure our workers are prepared for good jobs in high-demand fields. Many hard-working people who were laid off during the pandemic are looking to make career changes, and they deserve access to strong job training programs," said Rep. Horsford. "I'm proud to reintroduce the bipartisan JOBS Act to expand Pell Grant eligibility and help Nevadans afford rigorous short-term job training programs with federal aid. The JOBS Act will expand opportunities, increase economic mobility, and build better futures for workers in Nevada and across the nation."

"As we look toward recovery from the pandemic, it's more important than ever to ensure folks have a clear path to secure good-paying jobs," said Rep. Herrera Beutler. "Pell Grants exist to help individuals develop the knowledge and skills to enter careers, so I'm pleased to help lead this solution to expand their eligibility to cover high-quality job training programs. Our goal is to have a workforce that's prepared to create a better future for themselves and their families."

"Central Virginia's workforce training programs provide rich opportunities for area students and workers to gain essential skills in trades ranging from commercial truck driving to IT. But many students in our region's short-term programs are ineligible to apply for Pell Grants, which could otherwise help them afford the training they need to meet their long-term career goals," said Rep. Spanberger. "I've personally heard directly from community college instructors and administrators in our district about this issue and the need to expand Pell Grant eligibility. That's why I'm proud to help reintroduce the bipartisan JOBS Act -- and I look forward to working with my colleagues to expand opportunities for the next generation of Central Virginia workers and their families."

"As a nation, we must work to foster a globally competitive workforce by investing in education and making training programs more accessible. That's why, I'm glad to join lawmakers on both sides of the aisle in introducing the JOBS Act," said Rep. Katko. "This commonsense measure would help students access training programs that prepare them for highly skilled, good-paying jobs."

"As the founder of the bipartisan Future of Work Caucus, one of my priorities since coming to Congress has been ensuring that young people have access to high-quality education and job training programs," said Rep. Blunt Rochester. "By expanding Pell grant eligibility for short-term job training programs, the JOBS Act provides those opportunities and expands access to programs that would otherwise be inaccessible, particularly for low-income individuals. As we continue our economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic the JOBS Act will help provide critical workforce development opportunities for the American people."

"Our district is home to many community colleges that offer career and technical education programs for students," said Rep. Hinson. "I am proud to help introduce the JOBS Act, legislation that will help more Iowans access workforce development programs. This high-quality skills training empowers students to reach their full potential and connect them to good paying, in-demand jobs in the community after graduation. I will keep working on common sense policies that ensure Iowans have access to opportunity."

The JOBS Act would amend the Higher Education Act by:

Expanding Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in rigorous and high-quality short-term skills and job training programs that lead to industry-based credentials and ultimately employment in high-wage, high-skill industry sectors or careers.
Ensuring that students who receive Pell Grants are earning high-quality postsecondary credentials by requiring that the credentials:
Meet the standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), such as meaningful career counseling and aligning programs to in-demand career pathways or registered apprenticeship programs;
Align with the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act's program of study definition;
Are recognized by employers, industry, or sector partnerships;
Align with the skill needs of industries in the state or local economy; and
Are approved by the state workforce board in addition to the U.S. Department of Education.
Defining eligible job training programs as those providing career and technical education instruction at an institution of higher education, such as a community or technical college that provides:
At least 150 clock hours of instruction time over a period of at least 8 weeks;
Training that meets the needs of the local or regional workforce and industry partnerships;
Institutional credit articulation so students can continue to pursue further education in their careers; and
Students with licenses, certifications, or credentials that meet the hiring requirements of multiple employers in the field for which the job training is offered.
Creating an inter-agency data sharing agreement between the Department of Labor and Department of Education to share WIOA performance outcomes metrics such as median earnings and completion.
The JOBS Act is endorsed by the National Skills Coalition (NSC), the Association of Community Colleges and Trustees (ACCT), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), IBM, Opportunity America, Jobs for the Future, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Advance CTE, Business Roundtable Table (BRT), and Young Invincibles.