Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-Ga.) has introduced the PARTNERS Act with Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.). This bill would establish a grant program to promote local partnerships to help small and medium sized businesses develop work-based learning programs. Funding for this grant would come from fees collected for H1-B visas.
“The Central Education Center in Newnan led Georgia by implementing an innovative style of apprenticeship that prepares our young people for 21st century careers,” said Ferguson. “I am introducing this bill to allow workers across the nation to have access to work-based training. The United States needs a workforce that’s competitive on the world stage, but we must also face the stark realities of our current fiscal situation. By using H1-B visa fees to fund a direct path into the workplace, we can ensure workers receive the skills for success at no cost to the American taxpayer.”
“When I visit communities in my district, I hear from hard-working Oregonians who feel left behind because they do not have the skills they need to compete in today’s economy,” said Bonamici. “Our bipartisan PARTNERS Act will bring together employers, education, training, labor, and community-based organizations to develop work-based learning programs that benefit workers and rapidly growing sectors like health care and technology. We can build pathways to get more people back to work and provide our nation’s businesses with a skilled workforce that will improve productivity and efficiency.”
The bill has received support from the National Skills Coalition, Metro Atlanta Chamber of Commerce and Georgia Business Leaders United (BLU).
National Skills Coalition issued the following statement from Kermit Kaleba, Federal Policy Director
“National Skills Coalition (NSC) enthusiastically supports the bipartisan Promoting Apprenticeship with Regional Training Networks for Employers Required Skills (PARTNERS) Act of 2017. The bill would support partnerships between businesses and local workforce stakeholders that enable small- and medium- sized employers to develop and expand apprenticeships and work-based learning programs.”
“Small- and medium-sized businesses often lack the infrastructure to establish apprenticeships or work-based learning programs on their own. Industry and sector partnerships can help lessen the burdens businesses face when starting or expanding work-based learning programs, like apprenticeships, and help workers access and succeed in these programs.”
“Work based learning, including apprenticeship, is good for both working people and local businesses. For companies in desperate need of workers, work-based learning immediately puts motivated hires on site. Working people obtain market-driven skills and can “earn while they learn.”
“NSC applauds Representatives Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR) and Drew Ferguson (R-GA) for introducing this bipartisan bill.”
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