Van Orden, Miller, D’Esposito Introduce Legislation to Improve Access to Workforce Training

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), alongside Reps. Max Miller (OH-07) and Rep. Anthony D’Esposito (NY-04), introduced the American Workforce Act. The legislation provides high school graduates with a $9,000 workforce training voucher to participate in education programs designed by employers and taught by validated trade associations, community colleges, high-schools, non-profits, or labor unions. The vouchers will be paid for in part by taxes on wealthy private college endowments.

“Tradesmen and women not only built this great country of ours, they keep it running,” said Congressman Van Orden. “The federal government should be doing everything possible to encourage and support the training programs that lead our young men and women to getting these high paying, in-demand jobs. If America is going to continue to be the nation we all love, we need the trades to thrive. That is why I am proud to introduce the American Workforce Act alongside Rep. Miller so private employers can have the ability to train and equip prospective employees with the skills they need to be successful.”

“In today's world, it's clear that the government's hefty investment in higher education hasn't really set up our next generation for success. Just look at our college campuses across America today,” said Congressman Miller. “Our education system leaves behind Americans who want to head directly into the workforce pursuing careers that don’t require a college degree. It's high time we fix this by focusing on giving all American workers all the tools they need to grow our workforce, boost the economy, and secure a bright future. My bill is all about shaking up the education system to give a leg up to the folks who've been overlooked for too long while finally bridging the gap between.” 

“Empowering more Americans to enter the workforce will further unleash the full strength of our nation’s economy and support local communities from coast to coast, which is why I am proud to be an original co-sponsor of the American Workforce Act,” said Congressman D’Esposito.  “This critical legislation will invest in our nation's future workforce by providing individuals with opportunities to acquire qualifying work skills which will help combat our nation's skilled labor shortage and keep the United States at the forefront of innovation and productivity.”  

The American Workforce Act will: 

• Create a $9,000 federal voucher available to prospective “trainees,” defined as any citizen with a high school degree/GED, but without a bachelor’s degree or higher. 
• Offer an additional $1,000 bonus to employers for each trainee that is hired after completion of the workforce training program. 
• Require participating employers to provide training for positions paid at least 80% of the local median household income. 
• Allow the voucher to subsidize employer-led workforce training that offers a full time, paid position combing on-the-job experience and skilled workforce training. 
• Give employers wide flexibility to build their own training programs or delegate the training to a valid third-party entity, such as a trade association, community college, high school, non-profit, or union. 
• Require E-Verify at participating employers. 
• Levy a one percent tax on the fair market value of endowments at colleges and universities that (1) have more than 500 full-time enrolled students, (2) have endowments worth more than $2.5 billion and $500,000 per full-time enrolled student, and (3) do not have a religious mission. 

Senator Tom Cotton (R-AR) introduced the Senate companion legislation. Senator JD Vance (R-OH) is an original co-sponsor of the Senate companion bill. 

Read the full bill text here.