Taylor Maag, Director of the New Skills for a New Economy Project at the Progressive Policy Institute (PPI), released the following response in reaction to President Biden’s announcement of new efforts to ensure all Americans can access the jobs created by the President’s Investing in America agenda, including the American Rescue Plan, the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, the CHIPS and Science Act and the Inflation Reduction Act:
“The Biden Administration has created a record number of jobs through these policies, yet our country continues to struggle to find the workforce to fill them. The White House’s announcement today showcases how the Administration plans to solve this challenge while also ensuring these job opportunities are available to all working Americans, not just those with a four-year degree.
“The Progressive Policy Institute’s New Skills for a New Economy Project applauds the Biden Administration’s announcement for acknowledging that to build a competitive workforce we need to ensure every American — whether they go to college or not — has equitable access to high-quality training, education, and services that provide a path to a good career.
“Initiatives announced today, such as Workforce Hubs and the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce Sprint, do just that. These programs are regionally driven — relying on partners in the community to drive programming and industry-led, ensuring employers are a key partner in informing and developing workforce strategies. This type of action is critical to equip American workers with the skills they need to get ahead in a new economy, to close the diploma divide, and to ensure our nation remains competitive.”
The New Skills for a New Economy Project at the Progressive Policy Institute helps shape policy discussions at the federal and state levels around investments in a robust workforce development system that is fully-funded, modern, industry-responsive, and equips current and future workers with the skills they need to get ahead. The project promotes policy solutions that address the current challenges facing workers’ success and helps the U.S. remain competitive by lifting up new ideas and best practices happening across the country.
The Progressive Policy Institute (PPI) is a catalyst for policy innovation and political reform based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to create radically pragmatic ideas for moving America beyond ideological and partisan deadlock. Learn more about PPI by visiting progressivepolicy.org.
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Media Contact: Amelia Fox – afox@ppionline.org
