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Jobs to Compete Act

12/15/2023, 3:55 PM

Summary of Bill HR 1655

Bill 118 hr 1655, also known as the Jobs to Compete Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The main goal of this bill is to promote job growth and economic competitiveness in the United States.

The Jobs to Compete Act includes several key provisions aimed at achieving this goal. One of the main components of the bill is the establishment of a new grant program to support job training and workforce development initiatives. This program would provide funding to states and local governments to help them create and expand programs that train workers for high-demand industries.

Additionally, the Jobs to Compete Act includes measures to promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the US economy. The bill calls for increased funding for research and development, as well as incentives for businesses to invest in new technologies and products. Another important aspect of the Jobs to Compete Act is its focus on improving infrastructure in the United States. The bill includes funding for projects to repair and upgrade roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure, with the goal of creating jobs and improving the country's overall competitiveness. Overall, the Jobs to Compete Act is a comprehensive piece of legislation aimed at promoting job growth and economic competitiveness in the United States. If passed, this bill has the potential to have a significant impact on the US economy and help create new opportunities for American workers.

Congressional Summary of HR 1655

Jobs to Compete Act

This bill expands student eligibility for Pell Grants by establishing the Workforce Pell Grants Program.

Specifically, the bill requires the Department of Education (ED) to award Workforce Pell Grants to students enrolled in eligible short-term programs.

The bill outlines eligibility requirements for programs seeking to offer their students these Workforce Pell Grants. An eligible program is one that

  • provides at least 150 clock hours of instruction, but less than 600 clock hours of instruction, during a minimum of 8 weeks, but less than 15 weeks;
  • provides an education aligned with the requirements of high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industry sectors or occupations in the state or local area of the program (as determined by an accrediting agency or association recognized by ED);
  • provides a student with a recognized postsecondary credential that is stackable and portable across multiple employers and geographical areas;
  • has a verified completion rate of at least 70%;
  • has a verified employment placement rate of at least 70%; and
  • meets other eligibility criteria.

ED shall have the final determination of whether a program meets the bill's eligibility requirements.

Additionally, the bill requires ED and the Department of Labor to coordinate and collect data related to these workforce programs.

ED must annually collect and publish information on the College Scorecard regarding each eligible program, including job outcomes. The College Scorecard is a comparison tool for information on school sizes, settings, graduation rates, average costs, and salary ranges per field of study.

Current Status of Bill HR 1655

Bill HR 1655 is currently in the status of Bill Introduced since March 17, 2023. Bill HR 1655 was introduced during Congress 118 and was introduced to the House on March 17, 2023.  Bill HR 1655's most recent activity was Referred to the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. as of March 17, 2023

Bipartisan Support of Bill HR 1655

Total Number of Sponsors
1
Democrat Sponsors
1
Republican Sponsors
0
Unaffiliated Sponsors
0
Total Number of Cosponsors
8
Democrat Cosponsors
8
Republican Cosponsors
0
Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0

Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill HR 1655

Primary Policy Focus

Education

Alternate Title(s) of Bill HR 1655

Jobs to Compete Act
Jobs to Compete Act
To amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to extend Federal Pell Grant eligibility to certain short-term workforce programs.

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