Media Contact: Patrick Wright -- Patrick.Wright@mail.house.gov
Washington, D.C. — Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. voted for a bill today to increase apprenticeships nationwide that included his amendment to help minority and women-owned businesses benefit from these programs. The bill, the National Apprenticeship Act (H.R. 447), would provide about $3.5 billion to offset the company costs of apprentice labor and increase opportunities for workers nationwide. Rep. Payne, Jr.’s amendment to the bill makes it easier for minority and women-owned businesses to participate in the Registered Apprenticeship program and provide more employment opportunities to under-represented workers.
“Apprenticeships are an under-appreciated way for companies to get the workers they need to grow and expand, especially start-up and growing small businesses,” said Rep. Payne, Jr. “In addition, it is a great way for workers to get the real-world skills they need to compete for jobs in their desired fields. I wanted to add my amendment to this bill because we need to make sure these opportunities are available for workers in our minority communities.”
Overall, the bill would invest the funds to expand opportunities and access to Registered Apprenticeships, youth apprenticeships, and pre-apprenticeships over the next five years. It would create almost one million new apprenticeship opportunities on top of the current expected growth of the apprenticeship system. Also, it would yield $10.6 billion in net benefits to U.S. taxpayers in the form of increased workers productivity and decreased spending on public-assistance programs and unemployment insurance.
Rep. Payne, Jr.’s amendment makes it easier for minority small businesses to participate in the program and apply for apprenticeship funds. Specifically, it requires states to include small businesses owned or controlled by minorities and women when they apply for program funds and determine how they plan to expand their current apprenticeship programs.
Original source can be found here.
