Byrne Supports Bill to Reform Workforce Training Programs

Congressman Bradley Byrne (AL-1) yesterday voted in support of The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, or SKILLS Act. The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 415 to 6. Since the legislation has already passed the Senate, it now goes to President Obama for his signature.

Byrne said: “As a Congress, one of our top priorities should be doing everything in our power to help connect Americans with the resources they need to obtain good-paying jobs. That’s why I was proud to support the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act today which modernizes our nation’s workforce training programs and cuts down on the regulatory burden to state and local government, all while also reducing wasteful and duplicative programs.

“During my time as Chancellor of Alabama’s two-year college system, I also served as Chair of the State Workforce Planning Council. In that role, I made reforming our state’s workforce training programs a top priority. Under the bill passed today, states now have more control over their own workforce training boards and programs. That’s good news for job-seekers in Alabama and all across the country.”

In May 2013, the House passed the Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills (SKILLS) Act. On May 21, 2014, House and Senate leaders announced a bipartisan, bicameral agreement, known as the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, to reform federal workforce development services. The Senate passed the bipartisan agreement on June 25.

Byrne said: “At a time when most, including myself, doubt that Washington can get much of anything done, the SKILLS Act agreement represents a step in the right direction. I am glad Democrats in the Senate agreed to come together with Republicans in the House to pass a bill that improves our nation’s job training program. Now I only wish the Senate would take up some of the more than 200 House-passed bills which await action in Harry Reid’s Senate.”

The legislation reforms workforce training by streamlining programs, easing burdensome federal mandates, promoting skills training for in-demand jobs, reducing administrative costs, and delivering accountability of taxpayer dollars. More information on the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act can be found here.