[Congressional Record Volume 163, Number 13 (Tuesday, January 24, 2017)]
[Senate]
[Page S448]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. KAINE (for himself and Mr. Portman):
  S. 206. A bill to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to allow the 
Secretary of Education to award job training Federal Pell Grants; to 
the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. KAINE. Mr. President, by 2020, it is estimated that 65 percent of 
all jobs will require at least some form of postsecondary education and 
training. The National Skills Coalition estimates that nearly half of 
all job openings between now and 2022 will be middle skill jobs that 
require education beyond high school, but not a four-year degree. While 
the number of students pursing postsecondary education is growing, the 
supply of skilled workers still falls short of industry demand. 
According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, 5.5 million U.S. jobs 
are currently vacant, in part, because of a shortage of qualified 
workers.
  Our current Federal higher education policy must be improved to help 
solve this problem. Pell Grants, needs-based grants for low-income and 
working students, can only be awarded towards programs that are over 
600 clock hours or at least 15 weeks in length. These grants cannot be 
used to support many of the short-term occupational training programs 
at community and technical colleges and other institutions that provide 
skills and credentials employers need and recognize. When it comes to 
higher education, Federal policies need to support the demands of the 
changing labor market and support career pathways that align with 
industry demand. According the Georgetown University Center on 
Education and the Workforce, shorter-term educational investments pay 
off--the average postsecondary certificate holder has 20 percent higher 
lifetime earnings than individuals with only a high school diploma.
  Today, I am pleased to introduce with my colleague, Senator Portman, 
the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students or JOBS Act. The 
JOBS Act would close the ``skills gap'' by expanding Pell Grant 
eligibility to cover high-quality and rigorous short-term job training 
programs so workers can afford the skills training and credentials that 
are in high-demand in today's job market. Since job training programs 
are shorter and less costly, Pell Grant awards would be half of the 
current discretionary Pell amount. The legislation defines eligible job 
training programs as those providing career and technical education 
instruction at an institution that provides at least 150 clock hours of 
instruction time over a period of at least 8 weeks and that provides 
training that meets the needs of the local or regional workforce. These 
programs must also provide students with licenses, certifications, or 
credentials that meet the hiring requirements of multiple employers in 
the field for which the job training is offered.
  The JOBS Act also ensures that students who receive Pell Grants are 
earning high-quality postsecondary credentials by requiring that the 
credentials meet the standards under the Workforce Innovation and 
Opportunity Act, are recognized by employers, industry, or sector 
partnerships, and align with the skill needs of industries in the 
States or local economies. In Virginia, the Virginia Community College 
System has identified approximately 50 programs that would benefit from 
the JOBS Act including in the fields of manufacturing, architecture/
construction, energy, health care, information technology, 
transportation, and business management and administration.
  The JOBS Act is a commonsense, bipartisan bill that would help 
workers and employers succeed in today's economy. As Congress works to 
reauthorize the Higher Education Act, I hope that my colleagues ensure 
that Pell Grants are accessible for individuals participating in high-
quality, short-term occupational training programs that are leading to 
industry-recognized credentials and certificates.
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