U.S. Senator Young, colleagues reintroduce bill to strengthen workforce training

 U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Tim Kaine (D-Va.) reintroduced legislation to help Americans gain new skills and advance in the workforce and help businesses find the skilled workforce that they need to grow. 

The Gateway to Careers Act would help expand access to workforce training programs, support workers who face barriers to employment, and strengthen pathways to good-paying jobs in industries facing workforce shortages. The bill also aims to help employers connect with skilled workers at a time when many businesses continue to face hiring challenges.

“Every Hoosier deserves a fair shot at success. Our Gateway to Careers Act would help provide working adults and other nontraditional students with more access to vital support services,” said Senator Young. “Removing barriers that keep individuals from reaching their full potential will help train our workers and grow our economy.”

“As families face high costs and as employers struggle to fill jobs, we need to make it easier for Americans to access the training and support necessary to thrive in today’s economy,” said Senator Hassan. “By helping remove barriers to workforce participation and investing in job training programs, this bipartisan bill will strengthen opportunities for workers, while helping businesses hire and retain skilled employees. Passing this legislation would provide important support for both people and businesses, and I urge my colleagues to support it.”

“Workforce training helps Americans gain the skills they need to obtain high-paying jobs and pursue new career paths,” said Senator Collins. “It is particularly important that we support individuals who are unemployed or underemployed. This bipartisan bill would invest in programs that would help to connect more Americans to job training and remove barriers that hold them back.”  

“We need to do more to expand economic opportunity for everyone, including through innovative solutions to ensure that Americans have the skills and resources they need to enter the workforce,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to bridge the gap between workers and businesses and help ensure people can find good-paying jobs.”

The Gateway to Careers Act would provide grants to support partnerships between community or technical colleges and workforce development partners such as state workforce development boards, industry associations, and community-based organizations. These partnerships would support individuals who are unemployed or underemployed by strengthening job training and removing barriers that prevent them from completing a degree or credential program and succeeding in the workforce by providing support for things such as housing, mental and substance use disorder treatment, health insurance coverage, career counseling, child care, transportation, and guidance in accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Click here to see the text of the bill.