Bipartisan SECTORS Act introduced.

 
Senators Brown and Snowe, Representatives Loebsack and Platts Introduce Legislation to Better Target Federal Training Dollars

Bipartisan SECTORS Act Would Grow Industries, Create Jobs,
Provide Pathways for Worker Advancement

WASHINGTON, DC — With record unemployment and over 5 million Americans unemployed for 6 months or longer, today, Senators Sherrod Brown (D-OH) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME) announced legislation that will help grow American industries and provide employment opportunities for America’s workers. Congressmen Dave Loebsack (D-IA) and Todd Platts (R-PA) introduced companion legislation in the House.

The Strengthening Employment Clusters to Organize Regional Success (SECTORS) Act was developed in collaboration with DC-based National Skills Coalition (NSC) and other experts in the workforce field. The bipartisan legislation would support partnerships that allow businesses, unions, educators, and the public workforce system to develop and implement plans for growing a particular industry and helping workers train for jobs and advancement within that industry.

“It is more important than ever to invest federal dollars in efficient, cost-effective strategies with proven results,” said Andy Van Kleunen, Executive Director for National Skills Coalition. “While some policymakers in Washington have turned their back on America’s workers and industries by calling for the elimination of federal workforce funding, these leaders have instead called for better, more effective approaches to training our workforce. We applaud these leaders for championing solutions that will enable our education and training institutions to better meet the needs of regional industries and provide pathways to good jobs for unemployed Americans.”

Despite the nation's 9.3 percent unemployment rate, there is still demand in today's labor market for skilled workers. This is particularly true for middle-skill jobs that require a skills training beyond high school, but not a four-year college degree. These jobs make up nearly half of America's labor market.

“Manufacturing is crucial to both the Ohio and U.S. economy and having trained workers to draw upon is critical to the success of manufacturing. Sector partnerships similar to the Advanced Manufacturing Career Pathway of the Greater Cincinnati Workforce Network help ensure the sustainability of our industry by supporting a pipeline of skilled workers,” said Scott Ellsworth, Vice President of U.S. Operations at Tipco Punch in Hamilton, Ohio. “Senator Brown’s leadership on this bill demonstrates his commitment to Ohio’s workers and economic future.”

The SECTORS Act addresses the disparity between high unemployment rates and a shortage of skilled workers.

“Sector partnerships are a win-win for my company and my community,” said Liza Smitherman, Vice President of Professional Development for Jostin Construction, Inc. “Knowing there is a pipeline of skilled workers means I can focus on growing my business which in turn creates more jobs and opportunities for advancement within my company.” 

Sector partnerships focus on the dual goals of promoting the long-term competitiveness of industries and advancing employment opportunities for workers. A rigorous independent two‐year study of these types of training efforts by Public/Private Ventures (P/PV) found positive outcomes for workers including, steadier employment with increased earnings and better access to benefits.

Senator Brown first authored the bipartisan SECTORS Act in 2008, with Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) as the lead Senate sponsor and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) as a cosponsor.

"The industry partnership training model differs from traditional efforts in that it starts with employers" said Chip Roche, owner of Newfab, Inc. and Chair of the Manufacturers Association of Maine Board of Directors. "In this model, industry associations coordinate efforts to solicit input from local industry participants, define skills requirements, develop training programs, and recruit, screen, and test trainees. They then manage training programs and place graduates in skilled positions with participating employers. Senator Snowe's leadership on the SECTORS Act demonstrates her commitment to fostering an environment in which the private sector creates jobs, both in the industries that have historically driven the Maine economy as well as those that will emerge to drive our future growth."

In 2009, the SECTORS Act was also introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Reps. Loebsack (D-IA) and Platts (R-PA). In July 2010, the bill passed the House with unanimous bi-partisan support.

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National Skills Coalition is a broad-based coalition of employers, unions, education and training providers, and public officials working toward a vision of an America that grows its economy by investing in its people so that every worker and every industry has the skills to compete and prosper.