Building a strong workforce pool has become a challenge among not only Georgia leaders, but leaders across the country. Reports show that management working in all professional fields is struggling to find workers to fill open positions. Georgia Congressman Rick Allen (R-GA-12) says his first-hand knowledge of this worker shortage is what led him to join three peers in introducing the Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act.
Allen joined with House Education and Labor Committee colleagues Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Michelle Steel (R-CA), and Julia Letlow (R-LA) in introducing legislation that they say will accelerate job seekers’ return to and advancement in the workforce by identifying and validating existing skills gained through prior work experience, military service, life experience, or education.
“We must see the real value of past experience and skills that many job seekers possess—and how that prepares them for future opportunities,” Allen said. “Coming from the construction industry, I know firsthand how important it is to hire employees that are prepared to do the job on day one.
“We want to ensure that local workforce development and job placement partners are equipped with the appropriate skills assessments to measure a job seeker’s abilities. Especially as employers in Georgia and across the country are struggling to find workers, we must acknowledge that a college degree isn’t always a good measure of what a worker can bring to the table, and we should support employers who want to find qualified job candidates through skills-based hiring.”
According to Allen, the Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act will update the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to enhance the use of assessments that measure prior learning and skills to award industry-recognized certificates or credit towards a postsecondary credential.
The legislation is designed to foster a collaboration between business leaders and education providers to identify assessments that will help employers validate in-demand skills.
Allen said the legislation will also serve as a tool to incorporate these assessments into the services provided by the local workforce centers. “This will ensure job seekers can leverage their existing skills to accelerate reemployment,” said Allen.
The bill also supports employers seeking to implement skills-based hiring, thereby reducing the reliance on college degree requirements in the hiring process.
“Helping citizens find jobs and connecting employers with skilled workers is one of the most essential building blocks of a strong economy,” Letlow said. “This bill is a great measure to help put more Americans back to work and leverage the skills and education they have.”
