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Job Training

On Friday, March 15, 2013, the House considered H.R. 803: the Skills Act. This legislation reauthorizes the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) by consolidating 35 job training programs into one, creating a single block grant administered by the states. The bill freezes job training funding for the next 7 years, despite the fact that WIA funding has already been reduced by half since 2001. The biggest concern with H.R. 803 is that it consolidates many specific and targeted job training programs into one general category. Programs designed to help those with disabilities, veterans, older workers and those just entering the work force will all be combined and competing for funds. For example, job training funds that currently are used for young workers will now also be available to adults with more employment experience. The national unemployment rate for people between the ages of 16 and 19 is more than 25%. A job training program that targets young people helps put them on a successful professional path. Their ability to access these funds will be limited under this legislation.

I voted NO. H.R. 803 passed and the entire vote is recorded below:

• Research H.R. 803 on Congress.gov
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