WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (D-Va.-07), Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and Congressman David Valadao (R-Calif.-22) introduced the Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act, bipartisan, bicameral legislation to expand access to digital skills training for American job seekers.
“Virginia is a place where anyone willing to work hard should be able to land their first job, keep a job they love, or build their first company. The jobs of today require new skills that can be mastered with the right training, helping employers retain seasoned workers and attract top talent,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to introduce bipartisan, bicameral legislation that helps Virginians and people across the country build digital skills that are essential in today’s economy.”
“As Americans face a rapidly-changing job market, it’s crucial they be empowered with the digital skills they need to succeed in the contemporary workforce,” said Kaine. “I’m proud to introduce this legislation to expand access to high-quality digital training programs to help people develop in-demand digital skills—benefiting our workers, employers, and economic growth. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join us in supporting this bill.”
“Our job market is changing rapidly, and workers need strong digital skills to keep up,” said Valadao. “The Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act will help people enter the workforce with the foundation they need while easing burdens on employers. I’m proud to join Senator Kaine and Congressman Vindman in reintroducing this bipartisan, bicameral bill that will set American workers on a path to success and strengthen our economy.”
More than 90 percent of today’s jobs require digital skills like email, spreadsheets, or data entry – but more than one-third of workers lack foundational digital skills, posing a huge obstacle to entering and succeeding in today’s workforce. Existing programs to help job-seekers access employment and support services under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) are not permitted to use federal resources for digital skills training. As a result, one-stop workforce development career centers – physical sites within local workforce development areas where job seekers and employers can access programs, services, and resources – do not offer any digital skills training opportunities.
To rectify this omission, the Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act would amend WIOA to establish a new “Digital Skills at Work” grant program to expand digital skills training within postsecondary education, adult education, and workforce development systems. This legislation would make targeted investments in digital skills training to help Americans seeking jobs or upskilling opportunities, as well as those with barriers to employment, learn or build digital skills.
Specifically, the Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act would:
- Create digital skills training programs. This legislation would create formula funding grants for states based on a combination of population, number of working-age residents, and number of residents with low digital literacy skills (determined by educational attainment, earnings, and limited English proficiency).
- Increase digital equity. This bill would create competitive grants for localities and organizations based on how the funds will be used and the populations that will receive services, including individuals with barriers to employment and historically underrepresented populations.
- Require performance accountability. This legislation would require states, localities, and organizations that receive a grant under this bill to report their awards publicly.
The legislation is supported by the National Skills Coalition, American Library Association, Asc3, California EDGE Coalition, Coalition on Adult Basic Education, DAETC, Digitunity, Forum for Youth Investment, Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce, Greater Roanoke Workforce Development Board, Hispanic Federation, Jobs for the Future, Local Initiatives Support Corporation, Mohuman, National Coalition for Literacy, National Collaborative for Transformative Youth Policy, National Digital Inclusion Alliance, National Immigration Forum, National Skills Coalition, Northern Virginia Black Chamber of Commerce, Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce, NTEN, Prince William Chamber of Commerce, Third Way, Virginia Community College System, and Virginia Minority Chambers, Inc.
“By including digital skills and related performance metrics as requirements for grants issued under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), this legislation would ensure that our workforce is being prepared for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs,” said Virginia Community College System Chancellor David Doré. “There are practically no 21st century jobs that won’t require such skills–from basic data entry to business intelligence and virtual reality software. These skills are becoming increasingly critical to both small and large employers in every in-demand industry in the Commonwealth. Successful passage of this legislation will strengthen education and workforce development systems. In addition, business and industry employers will minimize turnover, and workers will be better prepared to achieve better jobs and greater economic success.”
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