Senators Hassan, Young, Collins, and Kaine Reintroduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Workforce Training and Business Partnerships

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Todd Young (R-IN), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Tim Kaine (D-VA) reintroduced bipartisan legislation to help hardworking Americans gain new skills and advance in the workforce and help businesses find the skilled workforce that they need to grow.

The Gateway to Careers Act would help expand access to workforce training programs, support workers who face barriers to employment, and strengthen pathways to good-paying jobs in industries facing workforce shortages. The bill also aims to help employers connect with skilled workers at a time when many businesses struggle to hire and retain employees.

"As families face high costs and as employers struggle to fill jobs, we need to make it easier for Americans to access the training and support necessary to thrive in today's economy," said Senator Hassan. "By helping remove barriers to workforce participation and investing in job training programs, this bipartisan bill will strengthen opportunities for workers, while helping businesses hire and retain skilled employees. Passing this legislation would provide important support for both people and businesses, and I urge my colleagues to support it."

"Every Hoosier deserves a fair shot at success. Our Gateway to Careers Act would help provide working adults and other nontraditional students with more access to vital support services," said Senator Young. "Removing barriers that keep individuals from reaching their full potential will help train our workers and grow our economy."

"Workforce training helps Americans gain the skills they need to obtain high-paying jobs and pursue new career paths," said Senator Collins. "It is particularly important that we support individuals who are unemployed or underemployed. This bipartisan bill would invest in programs that would help to connect more Americans to job training and remove barriers that hold them back."

"We need to do more to expand economic opportunity for everyone, including through innovative solutions to ensure that Americans have the skills and resources they need to enter the workforce," said Senator Kaine. "I'm proud to introduce this legislation to bridge the gap between workers and businesses and help ensure people can find good-paying jobs."

The Gateway to Careers Act would provide grants to support partnerships between community or technical colleges and workforce development partners such as state workforce development boards, industry associations, and community-based organizations. These partnerships would support individuals who are unemployed or underemployed by strengthening job training and removing barriers that prevent them from completing a degree or credential program and succeeding in the workforce by providing support for things such as housing, mental and substance use disorder treatment, health insurance coverage, career counseling, child care, transportation, and guidance in accessing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

"We appreciate Senator Hassan's focus on local partnerships between industry and education to build pathways to careers, and the bipartisan Gateway to Careers Act is further strengthened by recognizing the important role wraparound services play in student completion," said Mark Rubinstein, Chancellor of the Community College System of New Hampshire.

"SHRM applauds Senators Hassan and Young for their leadership in reintroducing the Gateway to Careers Act of 2026, a bipartisan effort that strengthens workforce readiness and expands access to career-connected learning opportunities. With employers continuing to face significant talent challenges, this legislation will help align education and training with employer needs and open pathways for workers to reskill, upskill, and succeed in in-demand roles. By investing in work-based learning and short-term credential programs, the legislation will help build a stronger talent pipeline and support economic growth nationwide." said Emily M. Dickens, Chief Administrative Officer of SHRM.

"Workforce development strategies are most effective when employers, education providers, and workforce organizations partner to help people earn the skills and credentials needed to connect to quality jobs. The bipartisan Gateway to Careers Act will strengthen these partnerships, expand evidence-based career pathways and training programs, and help connect learners and job seekers to critical supports like child care, transportation, and career counseling that are proven to make completion and long-term success possible for more people. Jobs for the Future is proud to support this important legislation." said Maria Flynn, President and CEO of Jobs for the Future.

"Today's college students are increasingly working adults balancing work, family and life. Supportive services, emergency support and career navigation are proven to help these students succeed, but too few resources are dedicated to making them available. NSC is proud to endorse the Gateways to Careers Act, which bridges that gap by connecting working adults with the supports they need to build valuable skills and succeed in today's economy." said Megan Evans, Director of Government Affairs, National Skills Coalition.

The Gateway to Careers Act has been endorsed by AdvanceCTE, All4Ed, America Forward, American Association of Community Colleges, Arnold Ventures, Association for Career and Technical Education, Association of Community College Trustees (ACCT), Center for Higher Education Policy and Practice at SNHU, Community College System of New Hampshire, Jobs for the Future (JFF), National Association of Workforce Boards (NAWB), National Skills Coalition (NSC), Rebuilding America's Middle Class, Results for America, SHRM.

Click here to see the text of the bill.

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