‘Manufacturing Jobs for America’ bills approved in House

The House of Representatives approved legislation that includes five innovative skills-training provisions from the Senate’s “Manufacturing Jobs for America” campaign. U.S. Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), who leads Manufacturing Jobs for America, applauded passage of the bipartisan, bicameral Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which will reauthorize, streamline and improve the nation’s workforce training programs. The legislation, which passed the House by a vote of 415-6, was approved by the Senate in June 2014 and now heads to President Obama for signature.

WIOA modernizes and strengthens national workforce training programs, creating smaller, more strategic state and local workforce development boards, allowing them to tailor programs to meet local needs. The bill also eliminates 15 ineffective or underutilized programs to ensure resources are focused on the most effective initiatives.

“To keep America competitive, we have to make sure our workers have access to effective and relevant job-training,” Sen. Coons said. “The most in-demand skills vary by region and industry, and training programs need to reflect these diverse and evolving needs. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act takes critical steps to better align workforce training programs with local demand and ensure workers have the skillsets manufacturers are looking for. The bipartisan action taken in both chambers to pass this important bill is proof that Congress can still come together to get things done for the middle class. I hope we can continue working together to pass more of the innovative Manufacturing Jobs for America bills that are ready for consideration…”

Led by Sen. Coons, more than 25 senators have contributed more than 30 bills to the Senate’s Manufacturing Jobs for America initiative. Roughly one-third of these bills are focused on skills training. Provisions from five of these bills were included in the Senate-passed WOIA reauthorization. They include:

Adult Education and Economic Growth Act (S. 1400)

America Works Act (S. 453)

On-the-Job Training Act (S. 1227)

Sectors Act (S. 1226)

Community College to Career Fund (S. 1269)