[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 131 (Monday, September 15, 2014)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5582-S5583]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  APPRENTICESHIP AND JOBS TRAINING ACT

  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I wish to speak in support of the 
Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act, legislation

[[Page S5583]]

that I have introduced with my colleague Senator Cantwell. Few issues 
are as important to the American people as the availability of good 
jobs in our communities. Unemployment in Maine and across the country 
remains unacceptably high. We must continue working together to 
identify ways to improve job training initiatives to help people find 
jobs in fields where jobs exist.
  I have met with many business owners in Maine who have jobs available 
but cannot find qualified and trained workers to fill these vacant 
positions. One way for employees to acquire the skills needed to thrive 
in in-demand fields is through apprenticeship programs. Apprentices get 
hands-on experience that is invaluable to employers and can help 
workers secure a good-paying job.
  According to the Congressional Research Service, approximately 44,000 
individuals graduated from apprenticeship programs in 2013 nearly 1,000 
of those individuals were from Maine. However, that number is likely 
insufficient to meet tomorrow's needs. One manufacturer in Maine 
estimates that nearly 2.7 million manufacturing employees are expected 
to retire in the next decade. We must do all we can to ensure that an 
adequate pool of skilled workers is available to fill these good-paying 
jobs.
  Our bill helps achieve this goal by giving tax credits to businesses 
that hire apprentices. To ensure that workers are given adequate time 
to prove their value, the apprentice must be employed for 7 months in 
order for a business to claim the credit. Our bill also provides 
incentives for experienced workers who spend at least 20 percent of 
their time passing their hard-earned knowledge on to the next 
generation. These workers would be allowed to receive some retirement 
income early, without facing tax penalties. Finally, our bill ensures 
that the brave men and women who defend our country are given credit 
for the skills they learn while serving. Training received while 
serving in the Armed Forces would count toward an apprentice's training 
requirement.
  This bill would help better align the needs of our Nation's employers 
with potential employees to promote hiring and the creation of new 
jobs. I encourage all my colleagues to support this bill, and I am 
pleased to join Senator Cantwell in introducing it.

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