Rep. Delgado Reintroduces Bill to Support Community College and Career Technical Education Students

Statement

Today, U.S. Representative Antonio Delgado (NY-19) joined Rep. Alma Adams, PhD (NC-12) in reintroducing the Gateway to Careers Act. This legislation would create a career pathway grant program, funding partnerships between community or technical colleges and workforce development partners such as state workforce development boards, industry associations, and community-based organizations. Grants would support services including child care, opioid addiction, transportation, and other supports for community college and career and technical education (CTE) students. Delgado and Adams first introduced this legislation in the 116th Congress.

"Growing our workforce and supporting career and technical education students is critical to the success of our rural communities and growing the upstate economy," said Rep. Delgado. "The Gateway to Careers Act will help bring together workforce development programs and social services to help individuals find and keep jobs here at home. I am proud to join Rep. Adams in reintroducing this legislation so more students can access career pathway programs and ensure that future generations have the skills and tools they need to succeed."

"The COVID-19 pandemic has forever altered our workforce. We've expanded our workforce virtually, giving employers and employees options to look further afield for new, diverse talent. However, an increasing number of jobs in the U.S. require some type of postsecondary education or training, and we're not doing enough to make sure that our workforce is ready for these jobs. Furthermore, structural barriers like housing, food insecurity, childcare, and transportation exclude many skilled people -- disproportionately women -- from our nation's workforce," said Rep. Adams. "That's why I introduced the Gateway to Careers Act with my colleagues. The Gateway to Careers Act would create a career pathway grant program for community college and career and technical education (CTE) students. It would encourage partnerships between community or technical colleges and workforce development partners such as state workforce development boards, industry associations, and community-based organizations. I'm committed to passing the Gateway to Careers Act to provide more people with a pathway to their highest, best purpose in work and in life."

The Gateway to Careers Act would strengthen job training by supporting workforce programs at community and technical colleges. It will remove barriers that prevent people from entering or remaining in the workforce by connecting them to the services they need to qualify for 21st century jobs. The Gateway to Careers Act would address this challenge by supporting career pathways strategies, which combine work, education, and support services to help individuals earn industry-recognized credentials.

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