WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV), a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), released the following statement applauding the Department of Labor’s announcement of $87.5 million for grants available to states to expand registered apprenticeships across the country. Up to $40 million of those funds in grants will be awarded to states that implement diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
“I am thrilled the Department of Labor has approved these additional funds. Before the pandemic Nevada lead the nation in innovation and workforce development, and during this period of economic crisis, additional resources and funding like this is more important than ever,” said Senator Rosen. “This grant funding will help Nevadans to find new career paths, assist in career re-training, and help our workforce to develop marketable skills. This additional funding will not only help Nevada workers recover from the effects of this pandemic, but also put our state on a path toward even greater economic and workforce growth.”
BACKGROUND: In 2019 alone, Nevada had almost 6,000 active registered apprentices.
States can apply for State Apprenticeship Expansion, Equity and Innovation (SAEEI) Grants ranging from $2 million to $10 million based on state-specific needs and capacity. The goal of the SAEEI grant program is to provide states with the flexibility to meet specific industry needs and demands. Collectively, these efforts will aim to achieve the following goals (source):
- Expand systems to support the development, modernization, and diversification of RAPs,
- Improve partnership and alignment to support workforce system integration.
- Increase the number of apprentices enrolled in RAPs, including underrepresented populations.
- Promote innovation in program development and recruitment strategies.
Rosen is an original co-sponsor of the Relaunching America’s Workforce Act, legislation that would invest $15 billion in America’s workforce training infrastructure and career and technical education.
In April of 2020, Rosen sent a letter calling on Senate Leadership to include $15.1 billion in funding for U.S. workforce development in the next COVID-19 relief package.
Also last year, Rosen signed an appropriations letter supporting robust funding for Job Corps in FY21, continuing Job Corps centers’ operations, and addressing critical renovations and repairs at Job Corps facilities.
Senator Rosen is dedicated to improving and diversifying Nevada’s workforce, which is why she introduced and co-sponsored the following bills:
- The Cyber Ready Workforce Act, bipartisan legislation she introduced last Congress alongside Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND). This bill would direct the U.S. Department of Labor to award grants to workforce intermediaries to support the creation, implementation, and expansion of registered apprenticeship programs in cybersecurity and;
- The Advanced Manufacturing Jobs in America Act (AMJA), bipartisan legislation she introduced last Congress alongside Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN). This bill would direct the U.S. Department of Labor to begin pilot projects between local community colleges, state and tribal colleges, local boards, advanced manufacturers, and Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) centers, in order to facilitate education and training programs in the field of advanced manufacturing.
- The 21st Century Workforce Partnerships Act, legislation she co-sponsored last Congress that would provide federal support for middle and high schools to partner with institutions of higher education, industry partners, and apprenticeship programs to create an education or career training program for students.
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