Partner Legislation Introduced in the US House by Rep. Williams, Perez
(Washington, DC, March 22, 2023) – Today, US Senators Roger Marshall, MD and Chris Coons (D-DE) reintroduced the Supporting Small Businesses Career and Technical Education Act, legislation to strengthen the supply of skilled trade workers in communities across the United States. US Representatives Roger Williams (TX-25), the Chairman of the House Committee on Small Business, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03) introduced partner legislation in the US House of Representatives, while US Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Chairman of the Senate Small Business Committee, was an original US Senate cosponsor.
Few Americans pursued careers in the skilled trades at the time older Americans who provide these services enter retirement. As a result, the American economy lacks workers in key industries, such as construction and care, to keep up with demand. the Supporting Small Businesses Career and Technical Education Act aims to solve two problems. The bill helps small business owners fill their workforce gaps by connecting them with graduates of vocational programs through Small Business Administration (SBA) Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women Business Centers (WBCs). the Supporting Small Businesses Career and Technical Education Act also offers resources from SBDC and WBC to help start a small business as an incentive for Americans to pursue a trade school degree.
“Exciting economic growth that will provide good paying opportunities for Kansans is happening across the state,” Senator Marshall said.“But what comes to my mind when I hear about these projects is who will build and maintain the facilities, and who will work there. Filling the growing gap in the supply of skilled trade workers is essential for providing the economic support new businesses need to thrive. This bill connects CTE graduates with communities where their unique skill sets are most needed.
“Graduates from career and technical education institutions have skills that are in great demand in small businesses in Delaware and other states,” Senator Coons said. “Whether it’s in health care, construction, or beyond, the Supporting Small Business Career and Technical Education Act will bridge the gap between businesses and hard-working students looking to earn a good salary. jobs they are trained for. I am proud to reintroduce this bipartisan bill to ensure that Delawareans and workers from across the country can enjoy their careers.
“Our bipartisan legislation will help Small Business Development Centers and Women’s Business Centers assist students in vocational programs while bringing opportunity and prosperity to our communities,” said Chair Cardin. “We have a lot of talent coming out of our vocational education programs, and we also have a great need across the country to fill jobs in demand in high-paying fields. Our goal is to connect the this gap and will continue to provide job opportunities for students in technical programs.
“Starting a small business is a leap of faith,” said Chairman Williams. “This bipartisan piece of legislation ensures that federal resources are used to support entrepreneurs and connect businesses with qualified employees. It is our responsibility to better help these entrepreneurs achieve the American Dream. Proud I work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to support our nation’s top workers.
“Success is often defined as having a college degree, and that often results in a lack of investment in career and technical education programs. Not only do we need to expand these programs, but we also need to make sure that the students can be connected to well-paying jobs after they graduate,” said Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez. “This bipartisan bill is an important step forward in that effort, and I want to thank Chairman Williams for working with me to support CTE students and small businesses across the country.”
You can click HERE to read the Supporting Small Businesses Career and Technical Education Act.
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