Miller, Blumenthal introduce job training bills.

Yesterday, Rep. George Miller (D-CA)—ranking member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce—and Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced legislation that would provide significant new investments in employment and job training activities for unemployed and low-income adults and youth.

The “Pathways Back to Work Act” (S 1861, HR 3425) builds on recommendations included in President Obama’s proposed American Jobs Act, and would authorize a total of $5 billion in new federal funding for three initiatives:

• $2 billion would be available to states to support subsidized employment programs for low-income, unemployed adults;
• $1.5 billion would be available to support summer and year-round employment for low-income youth; and
• $1.5 billion would be available for competitive grants to local partnerships to carry out work-based and other effective training strategies for low-income, unemployed adults and low-income youth. Supported strategies could include sector-based training programs, programs that lead to increased acquisition of industry-recognized credentials, and adult basic education and integrated education and training for low-skilled adults to prepare individuals for in-demand jobs in the local area.

The House bill was co-sponsored by Rep. Dale Kildee (D-MI), Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), Ruben Hinojosa (D-TX), Donald Payne (D-NJ), Tim Bishop (D-NY), and Dave Loebsack (D-IA).

National Skills Coalition supports the Pathways Back to Work Act, and we applaud Representative Miller and Senator Blumenthal for their vision and leadership in introducing this vital legislation. With nearly 14 million Americans still out of work, it is critically important that we continue to make new investments in innovative workforce development strategies to ensure U.S. workers and businesses have the skills they need to compete in today’s economy. We look forward to working with Congress to pass this bill, while continuing our fight to maintain adequate funding levels for existing workforce and education programs.