MSSC RECOMMENDS YOUR SUPPORT FOR WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT  PORTION OF PHASE V COVID-19 STIMULUS PACKAGE 

CONTEXT

Congress is now working on Phase V federal funding in response to the Coronavirus crisis that would include very large added funds for workforce development. On the House side, the workforce development portion is embodied in legislation proposed by Robert "Bobby" Scott (D-VA): "Relaunching America's Workforce Act" (HR 6646), which would authorize $15 billion in supplemental funds.

RAWA intends to provide both immediate and long term supports to the U.S. workforce. Funding for the workforce system will be funneled through existing channels, to get resources to the local level as quickly as possible. RAWA aims to keep people on the job now, while also putting people back to work as the economy recovers.

The RAWA-authorized funds would be shared between the U.S. Department of Labor through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) and the U.S. Department of Education under the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act. RAWA would cover 16 programs: 11 at DoL totaling $10.9 billion, 5 at DoED totaling $4.1 billion.

PROGRAMS OF SPECIAL INTEREST TO MSSC COMMUNITY

Of the 16 programs listed in the bill, 10 of them are ones for which MSSC may be seeking future partnerships with members of the MSSC Community. They are the following:

Under DOL programs:
  • Section 111: Workforce Response Activities: Individualized Career Services (esp. relevant to the career advisement goals of the Coalition for Career Development, where MSSC plays a leadership role). Incumbent Worker Training. Transitional Jobs.
  • Section 113: State Dislocated Worker Grants
  • Section 114: Youth Workforce Investment Activities
  • Section 115: Adult Employment and Training Activities
  • Section 121: Wagner-Peyser/Employment Service
  • Section 131: Job Corps
  • Section 143: YouthBuild
  • Section 145: Registered Apprenticeships
  • Section 161: Community College and Industry Partnership Grants: Restarts Trade Adjustment Assistance for Community College Career Training (TAACCT) grants, in which MSSC played a significant role 
Under DoED programs:
  • Section 203: Career and Technical Education: work-based learning and physical infrastructure.
ACTION RECOMMENDED
MSSC encourages members of the MSSC Community to:

1. Contact your representatives in Congress and urge their support of this legislation. 

2. Reach out to organizations that are actively supporting this legislation on the Hill and in State Capitols to offer your support to their activities. Especially effective organizations that we recommend: