Earlier this month Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA 9th District) introduced a new piece of legislation aimed to support those enrolling in continuing education and technical training programs. Referred to as the Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act, the legislation serves to support a new grant under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) that was introduced in 2013. WIOA is considered the government’s central workforce development legislation.
“With persistent inequities in our society and an evolving economy, we must do more to help people obtain the education and skills they need to succeed. The Empowering Individuals to Succeed Through Education and Workforce Training Act will provide wraparound services, such as assistance with child care or transportation, that are needed to help individuals complete education and training programs for in-demand jobs in our economy,” said Smith in an October press release. “Whether it’s a recently unemployed worker obtaining retraining services, an immigrant receiving English language classes, or a single parent looking to attend a technical school, we need to reduce the barriers that make career and technical education and training incredibly difficult or nearly impossible for so many people to achieve. Equal opportunity for all is only possible when every person in our country can access programs leading to high-quality and good-paying jobs.”
According to the Congressman’s office, those participating in WIOA programs are eligible to receive support under the new grant program.
