Committee Examines Local Ideas to Improve Federal Job Training Services

Press Release

Today, the U.S. House Committee on Education and the Workforce, chaired by Rep. John Kline (R-MN), held a field hearing in Nevada's Third Congressional District to examine the need for responsible reforms to federal job training services. Reps. Joe Heck (R-NV) and Howard P. "Buck" McKeon (R-CA) joined Chairman Kline at the field hearing.

During the hearing, witnesses testified about the challenges facing the state and local economies, explored the role of job training services in enhancing the career opportunities of workers, and discussed the need to update the 1998 Workforce Investment Act.

"According to a recent report by the non-partisan Government Accountability Office, the federal government administers 47 separate job training programs spread across nine different agencies, representing an annual taxpayer investment of $18 billion," said Chairman John Kline (R-MN). "Forty-four programs overlap with at least one other program. Only five programs have been evaluated to determine whether they are effectively serving workers." Chairman Kline added, "Our deficits and debt are skyrocketing and unemployment continues to hover around 9 percent. Wasting the hard-earned dollars of taxpayers and squandering support for workers is unacceptable."

"The efforts underway in Southern Nevada can serve as a guideline as we work to modernize the Workforce Investment Act, and that's why members of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce are here in Las Vegas today," said Rep. Joe Heck (R-NV). "We want to hear from business and community leaders about the local economic climate and the workforce's needs." Rep. Heck continued, "As we work to build a stronger, more competitive workforce, ensuring access to effective job-training opportunities and employment services is critical."

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