![]() A new effort is being undertaken in the U.S. Senate to fund a comprehensive national apprenticeship program designed to expand opportunities for a construction industry greatly in need of new workers. As proposed by South Carolina Senator Tim Scott, the Training America’s Workforce Act will allow for the creation of third-party groups such as trade associations and institutions of higher learning to implement apprenticeship programs that will be especially geared for the teaching of industry-specific skills. In a statement, Scott commented: “At a time when so many Americans have stopped looking for work, thousands of small business owners are struggling to find workers for millions of open jobs.” Scott added that the Training America’s Workforce Act will “create industry-led workforce development programs to get qualified workers into well-paying jobs.” The legislation has won the support of several industry groups, including the National Association of Home Builders. Jerry Konter, chairman of the NAHB, said the bill has the potential to “help erase the housing affordability crisis by allowing the home building industry to expand its workforce training reach through industry-recognized apprenticeship programs.” Late last year, the President Biden, by way of an executive order, put an end to the Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Program, arguing that such programs should largely be the operated by recognized labor unions. Scott’s measure has been sent for review to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. By Garry Boulard
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