[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 27 (Wednesday, March 9, 2005)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E391]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  JOB TRAINING IMPROVEMENT ACT OF 2005

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 2, 2005

       The House in Committee of the Whole House on the State of 
     the Union had under consideration the bill (H.R. 27) to 
     enhance the workforce investment system of the Nation by 
     strengthening one-stop career centers, providing for more 
     effective governance arrangements, promoting access to a more 
     comprehensive array of employment, training, and related 
     services, establishing a targeted approach to serving youth, 
     and improving performance accountability, and for other 
     purposes:

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Chairman, while I did not support the Workforce 
Investment Act Reauthorization bill that was passed by this body, I 
would like to thank Chairman Boehner, as well as the Republican and 
Democratic Committee staffs, for assisting me in adding two significant 
amendments to the bill.
  The first of these amendments relates to domestic microcredit, and 
ensures that local one-stop centers may use funding to provide 
information about the benefits of microcredit lending, and the local 
institutions that provide such loans, to individuals partaking in 
entrepreneurial training. The second amendment creates a demonstration 
project which will provide funds to industry consortia for the purpose 
of workforce training and development. Businesses, institutions of 
higher education, employee representatives, and workforce development 
community-based organizations within an industry will be able to join 
together to identify and address workforce needs within their given 
industry. These funds can be used to advance worker skills, conduct 
analyses of skill deficiencies and plans to address them, and develop 
rigorous training and education programs related to employment in high-
growth, high-wage industries. The amendment creates a ``win-win'' for 
employers and employees, as it would help employers improve their 
workforce, and allow employees to obtain the skills necessary to 
advance their careers.
  Again, I feel strongly that these amendments will result in positive 
changes to current law, and I thank Chairman Boehner as well as the 
Republican and Democratic staffs of the Education and the Workforce 
Committee for their assistance.

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