National Apprenticeship Act of 2021

Floor Speech

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Ms. BLUNT ROCHESTER. Mr. Speaker, to Chairman Scott and the entire Committee on Education and Labor, I thank you for the time and for your hard work.

Mr. Speaker, as the former labor secretary from the State of Delaware, I am proud to support the National Apprenticeship Act and have my amendment to H.R. 447 before the House today.

My amendment would make improvements to the bill to expand pathways for Americans to obtain good-paying jobs and ensure a diverse and highly skilled workforce, which we need today more than ever.

This amendment will make certain that we engage schools which accept Federal funds for students to promote apprenticeships for low-income students, specifically title I schools.

It will coordinate with HHS to better support healthcare and childcare jobs. It would ensure that nontraditional populations, such as the Latino community, are represented in apprenticeship programs and, finally, ensure that apprenticeship websites are user-friendly and accessible to those with disabilities.

Mr. Speaker, this bill is vital. As we, in America, are in the midst of a pandemic, we know more than ever that jobs are important and that our economic viability is paramount. This bill is also about opportunity and improving the lives of Americans.

I stand in support of this bill, and I ask for your support on these amendments.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record a letter from Third Way. Third Way, February 1, 2021. Hon. Bobby Scott, House Committee on Education and Labor, Washington, DC.

Dear Chairman Scott: We are pleased to see that the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 is receiving a vote this week on the House floor. With millions of Americans out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that policymakers work toward an inclusive economic recovery. That's why we encourage House lawmakers to pass the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, which would provide a much-needed revamp of the nation's registered apprenticeship system. Apprenticeships can play a key role in our economic recovery and help people regain their footing in the job market.

Through your leadership, the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021 would take important steps to bolster apprenticeships across the country. It would broaden economic opportunity by expanding apprenticeships to women, people of color, and people facing barriers to employment. The legislation would help small and medium-sized businesses create apprenticeship programs. Further, it would modernize our nation's apprenticeship system by expanding apprenticeships in growing fields like information technology, advanced manufacturing, and health care.

The bill would also expand apprenticeships in part by relying on intermediaries, or apprenticeship hubs, which would bring together employers, education providers, unions, and other organizations in each state that will work in concert to expand apprenticeships. This is an approach Third Way has long advocated for, and we're thrilled that it's a key part of this legislation.

Through the National Apprenticeship Act of 2021, this country can promote apprenticeships as a key tool in our economic recovery and ensure everyone has pathways to in- demand, good-paying careers. We thank you and the House Education and Labor Committee for your leadership on this legislation and urge Members to support it. Sincerely, Gabriel Horwitz, Senior Vice President, Third Way.

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