Press Releases
Rep. Norcross Votes to Invest in Chronically Underfunded Workforce Development Programs
May 17, 2022
Today, U.S. Congressman Donald Norcross (NJ-01) voted to pass the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which includes his Diversifying Paths to Apprenticeships Act (H.R. 7342) and would invest in our nation’s workforce development programs and help fill job openings in New Jersey’s 1st Congressional District with qualified workers.
WIOA is the backbone of our nation’s workforce development system. The law provides training and career services that help working people across the country get the skills they need and help employers secure a qualified workforce. WIOA includes funding for job training for adults, dislocated workers, and youth as well as supportive services to help participants complete training and join the workforce.
“The economy has experienced strong job growth in recent months, but there are still millions of job openings and qualified workers are in high demand,” said Congressman Norcross. “I’m proud that the Diversifying Paths to Apprenticeship provisions I led made it into WIOA, which will promote the country’s most successful jobs training program: registered apprenticeships. This bill will increase the competitiveness of the American workforce, ensuring South Jersey workers have the skills they need to have fulfilling careers and employers have a qualified local workforce to hire from.”
Federal investment in workforce development has fallen markedly over time. As a result, essential workforce development services are frequently unavailable to the people who need them most. Strengthening WIOA programs is a key priority of Congressman Norcross’s and will help Americans get back to work and support businesses. As the country recovers from the pandemic, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act will provide more workers with pathways to better-paying jobs, lower costs, and strengthen our economic recovery.