U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) reintroduced the bipartisan Gateway to Careers Act to help expand economic opportunity for hard-working Americans and support innovative businesses in need of a strong workforce.
Despite the economic downturn from the pandemic, innovative businesses continue to face challenges in hiring the skilled workers they need to grow and thrive. Simultaneously, individuals looking for work may not have the skills and supports that they need to enter – and remain – in the workforce. The Gateway to Careers Act would address this challenge by supporting career pathways strategies, which combine work, education, and support services to help individuals earn recognized postsecondary credentials.
“Every Hoosier deserves a fair shot at success. Our Gateway to Careers Act would help remove barriers that keep individuals from excelling in our ever-changing workforce,” said Senator Young. “This bill would provide resources to individuals in need, which will in turn help train our workers, support our businesses, and grow our economy – which is especially relevant during this pandemic.”
The bipartisan bill is endorsed by the National Skills Coalition (NSC), Jobs for the Future (JFF), Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), National Council for Workforce Education (NCWE), National Immigration Forum, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), and Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).
“The Gateway to Careers Act will support the growing number of students who are working adults trying to balance work and family in a pandemic. Current federal policy does little to provide crucial supportive services, like transportation and child care, that help students complete programs to develop the skills they need to secure a good-paying job,” said Caroline Treschitta, Policy Analyst at the National Skills Coalition. “Now more than ever, investing in our workers, and making sure they have the skills and supports needed to succeed, is crucial to an inclusive economic recovery from COVID-19, particularly for those who have been disproportionately hurt by the pandemic. That’s why 82% of people support immediate increased public investments in skills training to help those impacted by the crisis. This bill is an important first step to ensuring Congress invests in what workers and industries need.”
