WASHINGTON, DC - As small businesses face an emerging worker shortage, U.S. Senators Jacky Rosen (D-NV) and John Curtis (R-UT) introduced a bill to help them train and hire more qualified workers. The bipartisan Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act will provide information and assistance to small businesses through Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) regarding how they can establish registered apprenticeship programs and work-based learning opportunities to train up and staff their businesses. The House companion to the Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act is led by Congressman Jason Crow (CO-06).

"Small businesses are central to Nevada's economy, and they're currently facing a shortage of trained workers," said Senator Rosen. "I'm committed to doing everything I can to help small businesses succeed, which is why I'm proud to introduce a bipartisan bill to help them hire more workers with the skills necessary."

"Small businesses are the backbone of Utah's economy, but too many struggle to find workers with the right skills to meet modern demands," said Senator Curtis. "By empowering entrepreneurs to train and invest in local talent, our bipartisan legislation will strengthen local communities and ensure our small businesses have the support they need to be successful."

"Small businesses continue to face real challenges in finding and training the workers they need. BPC Action applauds Sens. Rosen (D-NV) and Curtis (R-UT) for introducing the Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act," said Michele Stockwell, president of Bipartisan Policy Center Action (BPC Action). "By giving small employers better guidance on apprenticeships and other work-based learning options, this bill provides practical support to recruit, train, and retain workers in a rapidly changing economy."

"Most small business owners don't have the time or resources to identify opportunities that might lead to their own workforce improvements," said Winnie Dowling, Nevada SBDC State Director. "Creating access to more work-based learning and apprenticeship program opportunities for smaller businesses, actually most businesses, is a new and innovative approach."

"Our research has found that more than half of small business owners said that they struggle to find workers with the right experience, skills, education and training," John Arensmeyer, Founder and CEO of Small Business Majority. "Since most small firms lack the resources to develop workforce training programs on their own, legislation that would help small businesses establish registered apprenticeship programs would be a significant benefit to America's job creators."

"The Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce is proud of Senator Jacky Rosen for co-sponsoring the Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act and know that if passed, will contribute significantly to our 2,200+ members' ability to establish registered apprenticeship programs in various industries," said Ann Silver, Executive Director of the Reno + Sparks Chamber of Commerce. "We have so many in-demand positions that remain unfilled and this bill would go a long way in enabling smaller businesses to create apprenticeships that lead to middle class wages and self-sufficiency for so many Nevadans."

"Small businesses are the backbone of the Nevada economy and workforce development is consistently a top area of concern for the employers the Vegas Chamber serves," said Mary Beth Sewald, President & CEO of the Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. "Ensuring the Small Business Administration is providing our local businesses with the assistance they need to thrive will keep Nevadans employed, our workforce vibrant, and the economy stable. Senator Rosen's Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act helps ensure this congruence of need and benefit and will be an asset to the Nevada business community if passed into law."

As a member of the Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Senator Rosen has worked to support Nevada's small businesses. Last year, she helped introduce the bipartisan Small Business Technological Advancement Act to cut red tape and help small business owners integrate digital tools into their businesses. She also introduced legislation that would require the Small Business Administration to maintain its website that contains centralized information for licensing and business permit information and materials for small businesses. Each year, Senator Rosen leads her Senate colleagues in pushing for robust funding to support small businesses and cut burdensome red tape.

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