Warnock and Marshall Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen Workforce Pipeline

The Pathways to Prosperity Act would allow more technical college students to "earn while they learn," incentivizing business and technical colleges to partner to create high-wage career pathways, align job training curriculum, and scale apprenticeship programs for students

The Senator's efforts will ensure new good-paying Georgia jobs go to hard-working Georgians

ICYMI from the AJC: Warnock renews push for enhanced job training with bipartisan bill

Senator Reverend Warnock: "This legislation will allow workers to have access to jobs with better pay, help our community and technical colleges stay on the cutting edge of what industry needs through strengthened partnerships, and aid businesses in finding workers to fill open roles. That's a win-win-win"

Washington - Last week, U.S. Senators Reverand Raphael Warnock (D-GA) and Roger Marshall (R-KA) introduced the bipartisan Pathways to Prosperity Act. The bill focuses on strengthening the nation's workforce development pipeline by bridging the gap between community and technical colleges and local industry via career training and apprenticeship programs that allow students to "earn while they learn." This legislation ensures a strong pathway from vocational degree to a good-paying job. It also codifies the successful Strengthening Community Colleges Grant Program, a critical initiative that provides competitive grants for community and technical colleges to partner with employers and align training programs with local industry needs.

"Each year, employers come to the Peach State excited to hire Georgia workers into good-paying jobs, but are having a hard time finding workers with the education they need. That's why we must continue to invest in educating the next generation of skilled Georgia workers so they're ready to take those good paying jobs," said Senator Warnock."I'm proud to reintroduce the bipartisan Pathways to Prosperity Act alongside Senator Marshall. By allowing Georgians to earn while they learn, we are strengthening the pipeline from the classroom to the workforce and making higher education more attainable for Georgians. This legislation will allow workers to have access to jobs with better pay, help our community and technical colleges stay on the cutting edge of what industry needs through strengthened partnerships, and aid businesses in finding workers to fill open roles. That's a win-win-win."

"The skills learned at our community and technical colleges are critical for America's workforce. These students power our local industries, bolster our local communities, and keep our economy moving," said Senator Marshall."With this legislation, we're ensuring students are career-ready, competitive, and equipped with the real-world training employers are looking for. This is a smart investment in our future."

Specifically, the bill will support local workforce needs by providing one-time funding to:

1. Enhance the quality of educational and career-training initiatives at community colleges.

2. Expand opportunities for individuals to attain nationally or regionally recognized postsecondary credentials in high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations;

3. Develop or scale up career training, career pathways, or work-based learning options like apprenticeships;

4. Assist individuals with barriers to employment in accessing programs; and

5. Provide support services to help participants complete education and training.

Senator Warnock has championed workforce development since coming to the Senate. He successfully bolstered the workforce development pipeline for aviation workers in previous Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization legislation. Additionally, the Senator has introduced legislation to address shortages in education professionals to staff Head Start classrooms. Lastly, Senator Warnock secured funding for regional tech hubs in the CHIPS and Science Act after bringing Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo to a pilot region tech hub at Georgia Tech.

The Pathways to Prosperity Act has earned strong backing from a diverse coalition of national and regional organizations committed to strengthening America's workforce. Supporters include Jobs for the Future, the National Skills Coalition, the Kansas Association of Community College Trustees, the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, the Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce, the Council for Professional Recognition, and the Metro Atlanta Chamber.

Read the full bill text HERE.

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