Collins & Lanier Tech President Agree - Reforming Federal Workforce Programs a Vital Lifeline to Economic Success

Press Release

Representative Doug Collins (R-GA) has voted to empower employers, restructure redundant government programs and promote better use of taxpayer dollars. Sponsored by Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC), the SKILLS Act (Supporting Knowledge and Investing in Lifelong Skills) will remove unnecessary barriers that hinder workers from enrolling in certain job training programs; and therefore, will ensure our workforce development system is responsive to the direct, needs of local communities. The SKILLS Act also coincides with Collins' previous consolidation work in the Georgia General Assembly by streamlining more than 30 separate funded workforce development programs.

"The government should never be in the business of creating jobs," Collins said. "However it can help cultivate economic growth by listening to the needs of our business community, and right now, it's telling us we need to prepare a stronger workforce and reform the suffocating government bureaucracies that are creating obstacles for American job creators.

"Consolidating government to make it smaller and more efficient was a priority for me on the state level, and that will continue during my time in Washington. The efforts to streamline the federal government should not stop in the area of workforce development. Conservatives have made a commitment to the people to continue cutting redundancy and waste in government, and I look forward to being part of that during this Congress.

Lanier Tech President, Russell Vandiver, added:

"Technical colleges in Georgia have one essential undertaking that goes to the core of everything we do, and that is workforce development. We are thrilled with any opportunity to work alongside local business owners to provide tailored training to our students -- it creates a win for everyone involved. I appreciate Representative Collins' commitment to reforming our nation's workforce development techniques, and I hope the SKILLS Act will somehow find its way to President Obama's desk where it can be enacted into law and begin to cultivate growth in our private sector."

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