Legislation recently introduced in the U.S. House would provide job training opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Enabling Online and Virtual Workforce Training Act temporarily would allow states or local workforce boards to expedite the approval of qualified training providers to offer workforce development programs online. Workforce development programs provide post-secondary education training and skills.
In some states, online training providers are ineligible to offer their programming because of a requirement that virtual workforce programs maintain a brick and mortar presence in the state. The bill eliminates that requirement.
“With millions of hardworking Americans out of work due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it is critical that Congress provide flexible opportunities for individuals to learn new skills and gain credentials to help them return to the workplace,” U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), who introduced the bill, said. “As the pandemic continues to create uncertainty about when our communities will fully reopen, many American families are struggling to reenter the workforce because they lack adequate childcare. Online workforce training programs will allow out-of-work individuals to learn in-demand skills without leaving their homes. This legislation will eliminate barriers arbitrarily limiting opportunities for workers to improve themselves.”
A highly-skilled workforce is essential for a strong economy, Smucker said.