Georgia Unions, Elected Officials Join Congressman David Scott for West Georgia Tech Tour, Push to Expand Registered Apprenticeships

Press Release

Congressman David Scott (GA-13) this week traveled to West Georgia Technical College in Douglas County to tour the College and Career Institute welding center and discuss his push in Congress to expand federal investment in initiatives to increase participation of underrepresented groups in "Earn-While-You-Learn" training and registered apprenticeship programs.

During his visit, Congressman David Scott was joined by local elected officials and Georgia union leaders, including GA House Rep. William Boddie (GA-68), Atlanta North Georgia Labor Council (IBEW) President James Williams, and Kelvin Hill with SMART Transportation Georgia. Since Congressman Scott introduced HR 3445, the Jobs, On-the-Job "Earn-While-You-Learn" Training and Apprenticeships for Young African Americans Act of 2021 three weeks ago, the legislation has picked up support from more than 40 members of Congress and is endorsed by the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers (SMART).

"As the nation emerges from a global pandemic and fights back from an associated economic downturn, demand for American trade workers remains strong. Registered apprenticeships are a proven path to that economic stability," said Congressman David Scott. "Hundreds of Douglas County students have transformed their lives at West Georgia Technical College through the power of technical education. These union-backed training programs lead to high-quality and high-paying jobs, and it's time for Congress and the federal government to do more to expand programs like these right here at home and to strengthen and diversify the talent pipeline for registered apprenticeships."

Source