Elevating America’s Workforce Act, will establish personal reemployment accounts (PRAs) to help displaced workers obtain the training and skills necessary for sustained employment. The economic disruption caused by COVID-19 has taken a significant toll on our nation’s workforce, leading over 40 million Americans to file for unemployment over the last few months. This bipartisan bill empowers individuals with more choice in how they access training, engages employers to expand work-based opportunities, and incentivizes success through a reemployment bonus. Specifically, this legislation will:
- Enhance individual choice by providing more flexibility on where they can acquire new skills, including from providers that offer virtual or online training programs.
- Increase the ability of businesses, particularly small businesses, to attract and train skilled workers by supporting work-based training programs for new employees.
- Incentivize individuals to earn recognized postsecondary credentials and acquire in-demand skills with a bonus for completing training and reentering the workforce.
- Encourage the use of counseling and career services through the local workforce centers.
- Provide states the ability to target accounts to individuals most in-need of new skills and enhance the quality of labor market information tools.
- Report on provider outcomes and include a robust evaluation to guide future investments in workforce development.
“The bi-partisan Elevating America’s Workforce Act sponsored by Congresswoman Stefanik and Congressman Moulton will give local areas adaptable tools to effectively help job seekers learn in-demand skills needed to re-enter the workplace quickly,” said North Country (New York) Workforce Development Board Executive Director Sylvie Nelson. “The Act is key to the workforce system as it provides meaningful online learning opportunities to meet employers’ demands.”