As Georgia continues to attract new companies and industries to the state, workforce development becomes even more critical. U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-GA, believes legislation introduced this week will address the issue and help the state build a diverse pool of skilled workers. Ferguson teamed with U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici, D-OR, and U.S. Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-KY, to reintroduce the Promoting Apprenticeships through Regional Training (PARTNERS) Act, a bipartisan bill that would establish a grant program to help small and medium-sized businesses develop work-based learning programs.
“In order to stay competitive on the world stage, communities across the country need the flexibility and resources to create work-based learning opportunities catered to their local job markets,” said Ferguson. “In Georgia, employers are seeing the value of putting skills-training directly in the workplace – and programs like the Central Education Center in Newnan have been implementing an innovative style of apprenticeship that prepares our young people for 21st century careers. I’m proud to reintroduce the PARTNERS Act, which is an innovative solution that will give every American the opportunity to live the American dream.”
The bill would also provide mentoring and support services for workers and create more opportunities for people to access good-paying, in-demand jobs, Ferguson added.
According to Ferguson, the PARTNERS Act, will address challenges faced by small and medium-sized businesses — which he described as “the backbone of our state, and the backbone of our national economy.”
Ferguson believes that apprenticeships are a great way for people to learn new applicable skills, while earning a paycheck – making apprenticeships a critical path into the workforce for many individuals.
These grants would be awarded for the purposes of job training for workers in in-demand industries and economic sectors. The PARTNERS Act authorizes the use of 50 percent of the fees generated by certain Department of Labor (DOL) accounts for use by the DOL for these workforce training grants, resulting in no additional cost to taxpayers.
States would provide grants of up to $500,000 for three years to eligible community partners. The funds provide support services for workers, such as adult basic education classes, mentorship and retention support services, pre-work-based training programs, and access to tools, work attire, transportation, childcare services, and other items required for employment.
