“As Ohio continues to attract new employers and investment, we must make sure our workers are ready to step into these opportunities.”
WASHINGTON – Sen. Jon Husted (R-Ohio) joined Sens. Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Bill Cassidy’s (R-La.) Employer-Directed Skills Act. This bill would make it easier for workers to access high-quality skills training, equipping them with in-demand skills that will lead to better jobs and higher wages under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).
This legislation connects workers with training programs that are closely aligned with real workforce needs. It would also allow American businesses to identify prospective employees to participate in the training program that aligns with the needs of the business.
“As Ohio continues to attract new employers and investment, we must make sure our workers are ready to step into these opportunities. Businesses need skilled workers, and this bill would help connect Americans with the training they need to land good-paying jobs. The Employer-Directed Skills Act would help Ohioans build the skills that lead to better jobs and higher wages. It’s a win for our workers and our businesses—strengthening our workforce and competitiveness without spending any additional taxpayer dollars,” said Husted.
“The stability of America’s workforce depends upon investing in a modern approach to employee development, but outdated rules and red tape in the workforce system discourage businesses from accessing federal resources to close the skills gap to fill in-demand jobs. As companies continue to innovate, we cannot afford to delay providing our workforce with the necessary training to compete in today’s rapidly changing economy. The Employer-Directed Skills Act would unlock access for American businesses to take advantage of valuable skills development programs to recruit and retain qualified personnel to strengthen our workforce,” said Budd.
“Washington bureaucrats need to stop blocking good job opportunities. This bill cuts red tape and empowers workers with skills to succeed in a 21st century economy,” said Cassidy.
Background:
Under WIOA, too few unemployed Americans have access to the training they need to build skills necessary to meet the demands of today’s workforce. This failure holds back workers eager to succeed and employers ready to hire.
The Employer-Directed Skills Act would:
- Allow employers to identify prospective employees to participate in skills development programs selected by the employer;
- Provide partial reimbursements to employers for the costs of employer-directed skills development programs;
- Establish performance indicators to ensure trainees receive high-quality instruction and are well-prepared for employment;
- Encourage local workforce development boards to connect with employers that offer employer-directed skills development programs.
This support build on Husted’s work to equip students with the skills necessary to earn high-paying jobs, strengthening the workforce. As Ohio’s lieutenant governor, Husted expanded career technical education to give more Ohio students access to skills training that enabled them to graduate high school career-ready. He also pioneered TechCred and the Individual Microcredential Assistance Program, a job training program that provides every Ohioan with access to the credentials they need to earn good jobs.
Husted also helped pass Workforce Pell Grants into law this summer. Workforce Pell Grants make short-term, high-quality training programs eligible for federal financial aid.
Full text of the bill is available here.