Fudge, Loebsack Add Critical Workforce Development Provisions To Landmark Education Bill

Press Release

Today, Representatives Marcia L. Fudge (OH-11) and Dave Loebsack (IA-02) offered a critical workforce development amendment to H.R. 3221, the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009.

The Loebsack/Fudge amendment encourages better coordination between community colleges and a consortium of stakeholders in related fields. These groups of stakeholders, also called sector partnerships, commonly focus on developing new workforce pipelines to address employee shortages. Sector partnerships also re-imagine the way in which workers are retrained and compensated.

Strengthening the relationship between community colleges and sector partnerships will assist regions to expand and develop core industries, allow education and training centers to respond to employers' staffing needs, and prepare workers for careers in burgeoning fields.

"Ohioans welcome retraining and employment development opportunities. By providing these vital services, the Greater Cleveland Area will continue to be a leader in growing industries, such as health care and aerospace," said Rep. Fudge. "This amendment supports the relationship between community colleges and industry stakeholders in order to establish a dialogue on employers' needs and how education centers can best prepare workers for a 21st century economy."

"Iowa is a prime example of what sector and industry partnerships can do," said Congressman Loebsack. "Through partnerships with our community colleges and industry leaders, we were able to push Iowa towards being a leader in wind energy. This legislation is a game-changer; it brings everyone together to grow and save entire industries while empowering our workforce to advance."

The amendment was included in the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act, which passed out of the Education and Labor Committee today.

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