WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the House passed the American Manufacturing Efficiency and Retraining Investment Collaboration Act (AMERICA Works).  In November, Bright joined Rep. Walt Minnick (ID) in introducing H.R. 4072, which directs existing public job training funds to be used in developing nationally portable and industry-recognized credentials for workers in technical fields such as health care, energy, and construction.  This is especially helpful for workers entering the job market for the first time, transitioning into a new job, currently unemployed but in the job market, and for military men and women entering the civilian workforce.  This bill passed by a bipartisan 412-10 margin.

“The AMERICA Works Act could not come at a better time,” Bright said.  “With nearly 10% of our country unemployed, we need effective programs to help put people back to work in the fields in which they are most qualified.  H.R. 4072 is not only good for the American workforce, it’s good for job creators because they have an assurance that the people they hire can perform their respective jobs.  I am proud to help introduce this legislation and pleased to see it pass the House.  I encourage the Senate to act on this legislation before it wraps up its legislative business for the year.”

Specifically, H.R. 4072 will amend the Perkins Act, Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) Act, and Workforce Investment Act (WIA) to improve and create training programs and industry-recognized standards.  AMERICA Works will give preference to education programs that create nationally-portable credentials.  Additionally, it brings local manufacturers in closer contact with local training programs, thus building the credibility of publicly funded training programs with employers across the country.  The credentials are grounded in the Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model developed by the manufacturing industry and the Department of Labor.

“In tough economic times with high unemployment and the loss of jobs, it is difficult to focus on workforce skills development,” said Emily Stover DeRocco, President of the Manufacturing Institute and Senior Vice President at the National Association of Manufacturers.  “In reality, we have no better time.  True economic reform means not only righting our economic ship but also pursuing the strategies that will ensure we maintain our manufacturing competitiveness and provide the best possible pathways to employment in high quality, middle class jobs for all workers. We commend Congressman Minnick and his colleagues for introducing this bill which will help ensure both new and transitioning workers have the education and skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century manufacturing economy.”