FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 6, 2006
CONTACT: Steve Forde or Kevin Smith
Telephone: (202) 225-4527

New Year, Same Story: Robust Job Growth &

Declining Unemployment Highlight Strong Economy

Job Training Reforms Remain High Priority on Legislative Agenda

 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – House Republicans today highlighted the new job growth and declining unemployment in the December employment report announced this morning by the U.S. Department of Labor.  The report showed that 108,000 jobs were created in December, with the number of jobs created in November revised upward to 305,000 jobs from its original projection of 215,000.  In addition, the national unemployment rate fell from 5.0 percent to 4.9 percent.

 

Education & the Workforce Committee Chairman John Boehner (R-OH) noted that the announcement adds to the economic momentum that has produced more than 4.5 million new jobs since May 2003.  Today’s report comes just a day after the Labor Department announced that initial claims for federal unemployment assistance fell last week to the lowest level in more than five years.

 

“The first jobs report of the new year demonstrates once again the strength and resiliency of the U.S. economy just months after a series of devastating natural disasters.  The American economy continues to grow, providing new opportunities to our nation’s workers and their families,” said Boehner.  “To ensure that American workers are well-positioned to take full advantage of these opportunities, we need to reform and strengthen our nation’s job training programs.”

 

In March 2005, the House approved the Job Training Improvement Act (H.R. 27), legislation sponsored by Howard P. “Buck” McKeon (R-CA), chairman of the 21st Century Competitiveness Subcommittee.  The measure streamlines government bureaucracy in job training services so more Americans seeking work or looking to gain new skills can find better-paying jobs.  It also enhances partnerships between local businesses, community colleges, and the local one-stop delivery system to improve workers’ access to important job training services.  A Senate job training measure is awaiting action by the full Senate.

 

            “A growing job market such as the one we are currently experiencing requires a job training system that keeps pace with new technology and innovation in today’s increasingly competitive economy,” noted McKeon.  “I’m eager to join the Senate and the Bush Administration in completing our work on job training reforms this year.”

 

Further information on Republican efforts to renew and strengthen America’s job training system for workers is available online at http://edworkforce.house.gov/issues/109th/workforce/wia/wia.htm.

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