Floor SpeechUrgent2018-07-25

WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

EconomyTaxesEnvironment

Context

On 2018-07-25, Representative Lloyd Smucker (R-PA-11) delivered a floor speech titled "WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT" in the House. The speech addressed the economy and also covered taxes, the environment. It referenced legislation: HR5153.

Full Text

WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT

Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)] [House] [Page H7168] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker) for 5 minutes. Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on a topic that should continue to be in the forefront of our agenda here in Congress: workforce training and development. Before coming to Congress, I owned and operated a small construction company in Lancaster County, and when we worked to expand our footprint in central Pennsylvania and sought out new markets to expand the business, we faced a serious problem: Many times, there just simply were not workers available to fill the jobs that we needed to fill in order to expand. Qualified or trained workers were just simply unavailable. Just recently, I met with half a dozen of the Nation's largest staffing agencies. They told me today that this has reached crisis proportions. They are seeing companies all across the country being faced with the same problem that I was faced with as a business owner, and companies now are making decisions on where to locate new facilities, where to expand based on the available workforce in that area. Sometimes, that is offshore rather than right here in America. I have seen the skills gap firsthand. I have managed through it, understood the impacts of it, and so now, in Congress, I am working to try to fix it. One of the best ways that we can lift people up, improve their standard of living, and create more opportunity is to connect them with a good-paying, family-sustaining job. Let's be honest: the best antipoverty program is a job. Right now, our economy is booming, consumer optimism is rising, and American manufacturing has risen in each of the last three quarters. We have sustained economic growth, and jobs are being created all across the country. In fact, there are roughly 6 million jobs available right now. Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady said it best when he said, recently: ``We have gone from a nation that asks, `Where are the jobs?' to one that asks, `Where are the workers?' '' One of my priorities in Congress has been to work to expand opportunities for work-based learning, where individuals get real experience from real professionals as they are learning. I was very happy to see the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act just came back from the Senate. We will be, hopefully, passing that onto the President's desk this afternoon. There is additional work that we can do; therefore, I have introduced additional legislation that will continue this effort. H.R. 5153, the USA Workforce Tax Credit Act, would address the urgent need to ensure that current and future American workers are prepared for the jobs available in today's 21st century economy. By establishing a new Federal tax credit, this legislation would encourage donations for community-based apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, workforce development, and educational preparedness, and it would encourage partnerships with companies looking to sponsor these programs. Encouraging investments in organizations and programs that are preparing our workforce for the jobs of today means that more people will be connected with a job. It means more families will be improving their standard of living. It means that people will thrive off the dignity that jobs provide. But it is really more than just an investment in workforce training programs. It is an investment in the American people. There are so many different paths to obtaining a good-paying job. I have my own experience of running my construction company during the day while I was taking college courses at night. I never did quite obtain that bachelor's degree, but I gained the skills necessary for my industry. My experience isn't that different from so many people in this country. I know firsthand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to finding a good job or helping others get connected with one. We have to ensure that our educational system is preparing workers to succeed in the 21st century. We have to invest in our people. I believe that this legislation makes a down payment and puts us on the right path. It is my hope that Congress advances this legislation to change lives, support families, lift people up, and support our growing economy. ____________________

Referenced legislation: HR5153, HR5153

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WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT Congressional Record, Volume 164 Issue 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018) [Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 125 (Wednesday, July 25, 2018)] [House] [Page H7168] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] WORKFORCE TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Smucker) for 5 minutes. Mr. SMUCKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to speak on a topic that should continue to be in the forefront of our agenda here in Congress: workforce training and development. Before coming to Congress, I owned and operated a small construction company in Lancaster County, and when we worked to expand our footprint in central Pennsylvania and sought out new markets to expand the business, we faced a serious problem: Many times, there just simply were not workers available to fill the jobs that we needed to fill in order to expand. Qualified or trained workers were just simply unavailable. Just recently, I met with half a dozen of the Nation's largest staffing agencies. They told me today that this has reached crisis proportions. They are seeing companies all across the country being faced with the same problem that I was faced with as a business owner, and companies now are making decisions on where to locate new facilities, where to expand based on the available workforce in that area. Sometimes, that is offshore rather than right here in America. I have seen the skills gap firsthand. I have managed through it, understood the impacts of it, and so now, in Congress, I am working to try to fix it. One of the best ways that we can lift people up, improve their standard of living, and create more opportunity is to connect them with a good-paying, family-sustaining job. Let's be honest: the best antipoverty program is a job. Right now, our economy is booming, consumer optimism is rising, and American manufacturing has risen in each of the last three quarters. We have sustained economic growth, and jobs are being created all across the country. In fact, there are roughly 6 million jobs available right now. Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady said it best when he said, recently: ``We have gone from a nation that asks, `Where are the jobs?' to one that asks, `Where are the workers?' '' One of my priorities in Congress has been to work to expand opportunities for work-based learning, where individuals get real experience from real professionals as they are learning. I was very happy to see the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act just came back from the Senate. We will be, hopefully, passing that onto the President's desk this afternoon. There is additional work that we can do; therefore, I have introduced additional legislation that will continue this effort. H.R. 5153, the USA Workforce Tax Credit Act, would address the urgent need to ensure that current and future American workers are prepared for the jobs available in today's 21st century economy. By establishing a new Federal tax credit, this legislation would encourage donations for community-based apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, workforce development, and educational preparedness, and it would encourage partnerships with companies looking to sponsor these programs. Encouraging investments in organizations and programs that are preparing our workforce for the jobs of today means that more people will be connected with a job. It means more families will be improving their standard of living. It means that people will thrive off the dignity that jobs provide. But it is really more than just an investment in workforce training programs. It is an investment in the American people. There are so many different paths to obtaining a good-paying job. I have my own experience of running my construction company during the day while I was taking college courses at night. I never did quite obtain that bachelor's degree, but I gained the skills necessary for my industry. My experience isn't that different from so many people in this country. I know firsthand that there is no one-size-fits-all solution to finding a good job or helping others get connected with one. We have to ensure that our educational system is preparing workers to succeed in the 21st century. We have to invest in our people. I believe that this legislation makes a down payment and puts us on the right path. It is my hope that Congress advances this legislation to change lives, support families, lift people up, and support our growing economy. ____________________ Referenced legislation: HR5153, HR5153