WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) introduced legislation to provide Nevadans with skills training for high-demand fields like manufacturing, construction, and IT. The Skilled Workforce for America Act would create a grant program at the Department of Education to fund workforce training courses at community colleges for jobs that are in-demand in local areas. In addition to skills training, these programs would include wrap-around support services and mentorship to ensure that individuals enrolled in the courses can excel and leverage the skills they obtain into good-paying jobs that don’t require a college degree.
“Getting a good-paying job shouldn’t require a college degree, which is why I’ve been working across the aisle to invest in workforce development and skills training,” said Senator Rosen. “I’m proud to introduce this bill to provide Nevadans more opportunities to receive training for high-demand fields like construction and IT. I’ll keep working to invest in Nevada’s workers as our state continues to grow.”
“I commend Senator Rosen for championing this important initiative,” said Patricia Charlton, Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education. “This legislation will be essential for advancing the capabilities of our higher education institutions while supporting the success of our students and driving economic growth in Nevada. By securing these grant funds, our NSHE institutions will be able to expand programs that provide top-notch education and training that align perfectly with the needs of our state’s growing industries. Together, we’re not just supporting our students’ success; we’re fueling Nevada’s economic growth and building a brighter future for everyone.”
“Community colleges like CSN are a critical part of the nation’s efforts to train its workforce in skilled, high-demand areas,” said Dr. William L. Kibler, Acting President of the College of Southern Nevada. “By partnering with business and industry, CSN and its sister institutions remain nimble when responding to changing societal workforce development needs. We applaud efforts to bring attention and funding to this often-overlooked aspect of the community college mission.”
“When we invest in workforce training programs, particularly through student supports that lead to highly skilled professionals, we positively change lives and strengthen regional economies,” said Dr. Karin Hilgersom, President of Truckee Meadows Community College. “The ‘Skilled Workforce for America Act’ will inspire Nevadians to pursue careers in vital fields fostering a cycle of prosperity and innovation. That’s why I strongly support this Act.”
Senator Rosen has been working to support Nevada’s workforce in the midst of economic growth. Last week, Senator Rosen introduced the bipartisan Cyber Ready Workforce Act to support and expand apprenticeships in cybersecurity in order to open the door to more good-paying, cutting edge jobs for Nevadans, including those without a college degree. Earlier this year, she announced the delivery of federal funding she secured as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 Bipartisan Appropriations Package for workforce development in southern Nevada. Last year, she sent a bipartisan letter to the U.S. National Science Foundation Director requesting an update on the implementation of the provision she secured in the bipartisan CHIPS and Science Act to bolster the critical minerals mining workforce. Last Congress, Rosen also secured $14.9 million in funding to support workforce development projects in manufacturing, health care, information technology, and transportation across northern Nevada.
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