[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 15, 2015)]
[Senate]
[Page S2222]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Ms. CANTWELL (for herself and Ms. Collins):
  S. 959. A bill to establish a tax credit for on-site apprenticeship 
programs, and for other purposes; to the Committee on Finance.
  Ms. COLLINS. Mr. President, I wish to speak in support of the 
Apprenticeship and Jobs Training Act, which 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. 
It is crucial that we continue to improve job training initiatives to 
help people find jobs in fields with open positions.
  Many business owners in Maine have told me that they have jobs 
available, but they cannot find qualified and trained workers to fill 
these vacant positions. One way for employees to acquire the skills 
needed to succeed in these in-demand fields is through apprenticeship 
programs. Apprentices gain hands-on experience that is invaluable to 
employers and can help workers secure a well-paying job.
  According to the Department of Labor's Employment and Training 
Administration, more than 44,000 participants graduated from the 
apprenticeship system in fiscal year 2014. In Maine, there were almost 
700 registered apprentices. That number, however, 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 well-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 seven 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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