RSS Feed Archive.
Senate Committee moves FY11 funding bill.
August 4, 2010
On July 27, the Senate appropriations committee approved the Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 spending bill for programs administered by the Departments of Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and related agencies (Labor-H).
New "gainful employment" regulations proposed.
July 27, 2010
On July 23, the U.S. Department of Education announced a set of proposed regulations that would define the term “gainful employment” as used under the Higher Education Act.
Congress clears UI extension.
July 22, 2010
On July 22, the House voted 272-152 to pass a bill extending federal expanded unemployment insurance programs through the end of November.
Senate advances unemployment extension.
July 20, 2010
On July 20, after four failed previous attempts, the Senate finally voted to advance legislation to extend federal expanded unemployment insurance benefits for out-of-work Americans through November 2010. The $34 billion measure now goes to the House, which is expected to pass it easily on Wednesday.
House passes SECTORS Act.
July 19, 2010
Today the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SECTORS Act on a unanimous voice vote demonstrating that investing in the skills of America's workers and industries is an issue that cuts across party lines.
S2C-Massachusetts launches campaign.
July 14, 2010
Business, labor, and education leaders launched the Skills2Compete-Massachusetts campaign today with the release of Massachusetts’ Forgotten Middle-Skill Jobs.
Guiding states on workforce data proposals.
July 12, 2010
Researchers affiliated with the Joyce Foundation’s Shifting Gears Initiative have released a paper with specific suggestions to states that are developing proposals for funding under USDOL’s $12.2 million Workforce Data Quality Initiative.
June congressional wrap-up.
July 8, 2010
Congress adjourned for the July recess without extending the federal expanded unemployment insurance program despite the fact the unemployment rate continues to hover near ten percent. DOL estimates that more than 3.2 million individuals will lose their benefits if Congress does not complete the extension by the end of July.
Latest version of Extenders bill fails, again.
June 25, 2010
As expected, the Senate on Thursday failed to get the votes necessary to end debate and proceed to a final vote on the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, the tax “extenders” bill that includes a range of investments in job training and worker support programs.
DOL releases $75M in OJT grants.
June 25, 2010
The Department of Labor announces the release of $75 million in Recovery Act-funded National Emergency Grants to support the expansion of on-the-job training programs in 41 states, three Native American tribes, and the District of Columbia.
HHS announces $51M in new grants.
June 25, 2010
Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Children & Families announces the availability of $51 million in grant funding under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act to support demonstration projects that provide TANF recipients and other low-income individuals with education and training leading to occupations in the health care sector.
Third version of Extenders bill proposed.
June 24, 2010
Majority Leader Reid (D-NV) introduced a third version of the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act late Wednesday night in an on-going effort to find the sixty votes needed to pass the legislation.
Senate fails to advance Extenders bill again.
June 18, 2010
The Senate on Thursday night failed to advance their version of the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, the tax ‘extenders’ bill that includes a range of investments in job training and worker support programs. It is unclear whether Senate leaders can assemble a final package capable of getting past a procedural vote.
Scaled back Extenders amendment introduced.
June 17, 2010
Senate leaders on Wednesday evening introduced a scaled back substitute amendment on the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act in an effort to attract the 60 votes needed to advance toward a final vote on the measure. The new amendment would reduce certain UI benefits, but maintains other key workforce provisions.
New student aid regulations proposed.
June 17, 2010
Department of Education announces plans to publish proposed regulations intended to strengthen federal student aid programs.
Scaled back Extenders amendment introduced.
June 17, 2010
Senate leaders on Wednesday evening introduced a scaled back substitute amendment on the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act in an effort to attract the 60 votes needed to advance toward a final vote on the measure. The new amendment would reduce certain UI benefits, but maintains other key workforce provisions.
Senate cloture vote on ‘Extenders Bill’ set.
June 15, 2010
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) filed for cloture Monday on the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, setting up a critical vote on Wednesday to end debate on the bill and allow the Senate to move to final consideration on the legislation.
Senate introduces OJT Act of 2010.
June 8, 2010
On June 7, Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen. Thad Cochran (R-MS) introduced the On-the-Job Training Act of 2010, which would allow the Department of Labor to award competitive grants to local workforce investment boards to support the expansion OJT activities with area businesses.
House approves UI, TANF Fund extensions.
May 28, 2010
The House approved a scaled-back version of the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act, which includes a temporary extension of unemployment insurance benefits and the TANF Emergency Fund, and additional funding for summer youth employment programs. The Senate will not take the bill up until after the Memorial Day recess, causing current UI/COBRA extensions to lapse.
Workforce groups submit WIA Title II recs.
May 27, 2010
On May 26, National Skills Coalition joined with other national workforce groups in submitting recommendations to the Senate HELP Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety on ways to improve Workforce Investment Act Title II adult education programs.
DOL longitudinal data systems grants.
May 26, 2010
On May 17, the Department of Labor’s Employment and Training Administration announced the availability of $12.2 million in competitive Workforce Data Quality Initiative grants to state workforce agencies.
"Extenders" bill summary released.
May 20, 2010
Congress is slated to begin action as early as next week on a $220 billion “extenders” bill that would provide new funding for summer youth employment programs and subsidized jobs under TANF, extend unemployment benefits, and expand eligibility for community college training activities funded through the reconciliation bill.
House to Vote on UI/COBRA, TANF Extension.
May 19, 2010
The House is expected to vote shortly on the American Jobs, Closing Tax Loopholes and Preventing Outsourcing Act, which is likely to include an extension of UI/COBRA benefits through the end of 2010, an extension of the TANF emergency fund through September 2011, and additional funding for summer youth employment programs.
A middle-skills debate in DC - or is there?
May 14, 2010
On Thursday, Professor Harry Holzer (Georgetown University) issued a response to a recent paper that questioned the continuing existence of "middle-skill jobs." Holzer confirms that a plurality of job demand is still in occupations that require more than high school but not a four-year degree.
New Washington Update available.
May 3, 2010
Read National Skills Coalition's Latest Washington Update to learn about the multiple “jobs bills” moving through Congress, read about the recently enacted Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act, and find out more about how the Department of Labor is funding On-the-Job training through Recovery Act-funded National Emergency Grants.
Skills2Compete-New Mexico releases new report.
April 28, 2010
In new report, Skills2Compete-New Mexico campaign calls for using economic downtime to invest in training time to meet future demand.
House examines training under TANF.
April 23, 2010
House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support held a hearing examining education and training policies under TANF. The hearing highlighted the role that training can play in helping TANF recipients get and keep family-sustaining jobs, and identified challenges facing these individuals under current policy.
