[Congressional Record Volume 166, Number 46 (Tuesday, March 10, 2020)]
[House]
[Pages H1574-H1575]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1300
SUPPORT FOR VETERANS IN EFFECTIVE APPRENTICESHIPS ACT OF 2019
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (S. 760) to enable registered apprenticeship programs to
better serve veterans, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
S. 760
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Support for Veterans in
Effective Apprenticeships Act of 2019''.
SEC. 2. IMPROVED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM COORDINATION BETWEEN
THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND THE DEPARTMENT OF
VETERANS AFFAIRS.
(a) Definitions.--In this Act:
(1) Registered apprenticeship program.--The term
``registered apprenticeship program'' means an apprenticeship
program registered under the Act of August 16, 1937 (50 Stat.
664; commonly referred to as the ``National Apprenticeship
Act'').
(2) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Labor.
(b) Additional Registered Apprenticeship Program
Requirements.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law,
for any program applying to become a registered
apprenticeship program on or after the date that is 180 days
after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary
shall--
(1) acquire from the program sponsor a written assurance
that the sponsor--
(A) is aware of the availability of educational assistance
for a veteran or other individual eligible under chapters 30
through 36 of title 38, United States Code, for use in
connection with a registered apprenticeship program;
(B) will make a good faith effort to obtain approval for
educational assistance described in subparagraph (A) for, at
a minimum, each program location that employs or recruits a
veteran or other individual eligible for educational
assistance under chapters 30 through 36 of title 38, United
States Code; and
(C) will not deny the application of a qualified candidate
who is a veteran or other individual eligible for educational
assistance described in subparagraph (A) for the purpose of
avoiding making a good faith effort to obtain approval as
described in subparagraph (B);
(2) in accordance with paragraphs (5) and (12) of section
29.5(b) of title 29, Code of Federal Regulations (as in
effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act),
require the program sponsor, to the extent practicable, to
provide standards that contain provisions to grant advanced
standing or credit, and provide increased wages commensurate
to such standing or credit, for any veteran or other
individual eligible for educational assistance under chapters
30 through 36 of title 38, United States Code, who--
(A) is enrolled in the registered apprenticeship program;
and
(B)(i) has a demonstrated competence applicable to the
apprenticeship occupation; or
(ii) has acquired experience, training, or skills through
military service that is applicable to the apprenticeship
occupation; and
(3) when the Secretary approves the registered
apprenticeship program, provide a copy of the program's
certificate of registration to the State approving agency
designated under chapter 36 of title 38, United States Code,
in the State where the program is located.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
Nevada (Mrs. Lee) and the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Watkins) each will
control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from Nevada.
General Leave
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks, and insert extraneous material on S. 760, the Support for
Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act of 2019.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from Nevada?
There was no objection.
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of S. 760, Support for Veterans
in Effective Apprenticeships Act. This legislation is a commonsense
approach to helping men and women who have laid their life on the line
for our freedom.
So many of our veterans transition to civilian life and need to
develop a skill to get good-paying jobs. Yet, many are not suited for
traditional education pathways. This is where registered apprenticeship
programs are so important, and this legislation takes important steps
to increasing veterans' access to complete financial assistance they
can use to connect to a registered apprenticeship program.
Registered apprenticeships are our Nation's most successful federally
funded workforce development with a 94 percent placement rate for
workers who complete a registered apprenticeship, and an average
starting salary of $70,000 a year. The bill would ensure more veterans
access to these high-quality programs by:
One, requiring the Department of Labor, DOL, to ensure employers are
working with their State veterans affairs agencies to obtain education
benefits available for veterans;
Two, improving the coordination between the DOL and the VA, requiring
the DOL to provide information to the VA on newly registered
apprenticeship programs to enable the VA to be more proactive in
outreach to registered apprenticeship programs not yet approved for GI
bill benefits; and
Three, ensuring that employers grant advanced standing or credit, and
provide increased wages commensurate to such standing or credit to
veterans or
[[Page H1575]]
other eligible individuals who can demonstrate competencies or
experience, training or skills through their military service.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in support of this
important legislation, which will take real steps to improve veterans
and their families access to high-quality registered apprenticeship
programs.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume.
I rise today in support of S. 760, the Support for Veterans in
Effective Apprenticeships Act. This bill would provide more
opportunities for servicemembers within apprenticeship programs that
align with their skills and their background.
As a veteran, one of the hardest things I did was transitioning back
to the civilian world. I spent somewhere around 8\1/2\ years in
conflict environments over the course of maybe 12 or 13, and it was
easier to stay in Iraq or Afghanistan than it was to come back to the
United States.
Now, we have got an outstanding military. It is resilient and bright;
many fought in two wars. They have excellent leadership and technical
skills, skills that would be used to close the skills gap. Veterans are
more likely to be underemployed than their nonveteran counterparts.
This is not because they lack the appropriate skills, rather, they lack
the clear path that helps them to transition from the military service
to good-paying jobs.
S. 760 ensures that veterans receive advanced standings in registered
apprenticeship programs for their prior experience. This bill
acknowledges the unique capabilities of veterans and simplifies the
process for veterans transitioning from successful careers in the
military to civilian life.
We have a wealth of experience right here in our country with our
veterans. Let's tap into that pool of intelligent and hardworking
heroes.
Mr. Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Pennsylvania
(Mr. Thompson).
Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman
from Nevada and the gentleman from Kansas for their support of this
very important piece of legislation.
I rise in support of S. 760, the Support for Veterans in Effective
Apprenticeships Act of 2019. I was proud to introduce the House
companion bill, H.R. 5314, with my colleague, Representative Katherine
Clark.
Our Nation's veterans deserve our support while deployed and when
they return home. One of the best ways to do that is to prepare them
for the workforce outside of the military.
Our servicemembers have attained incredible skills during their
service, many times, quite frankly, under fire. Sadly, when they return
to civilian life, finding a good-paying, family-sustaining job may be
difficult.
Many States have significant inconsistencies between the number of
registered apprenticeships offered and the number of programs listed as
approved for veterans' benefits. These discrepancies exist despite the
simple, expedited VA approval process for apprenticeship sponsors who
have gone through all the steps to register their programs through the
Department of Labor at either the Federal or the State level.
The VA approval process still requires additional steps that not all
sponsors follow through to completion. This makes it difficult in many
States for veterans to have the full list of apprenticeship programs
where they can use their earned benefits and apply their learned skills
and knowledge.
H.R. 5314 helps streamline the process of attaining an apprenticeship
and reduces roadblocks for our veterans.
The bill ensures programs are equipped to complete the expedited VA
process for registered apprenticeships and expands coordination between
the Department of Labor and the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Now, additionally, the bill clarifies that veterans are eligible for
advanced placement and appropriate wage increases and instructs
apprenticeship programs to account for a participant's competencies and
prior experiences, including those gained during military service.
Mr. Speaker, I am proud to support this bill, and I urge my
colleagues to do the same.
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I am prepared to close, if the
gentleman from Kansas is, and I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WATKINS. Mr. Speaker, I am ready to close.
Mr. Speaker, S. 760 would help veterans transition to the civilian
workforce and address our growing skills gaps that has led to 7 million
unfilled jobs. This bill is a clear win for our country, and I urge my
colleagues to vote ``yes'' on this bill.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my
time.
The Support for Veterans in Effective Apprenticeships Act, S. 760,
will assist our veterans and their families in accessing the high-
quality pathways that registered apprenticeships provide.
As I said before, we owe it to our brave veterans to set them up for
a life of self-sufficiency and dignity. This legislation does not
create another bureaucratic layer that veterans must navigate, instead,
it requires coordination. Coordination between the DOL and the VA that
will reduce barriers for employers and veterans and accessing financial
assistance they can use in connection with the registered
apprenticeship program.
We have all heard stories of veterans having to navigate complex
requirements to access benefits that, quite honestly, they have earned
and deserve. This legislation proves that this Congress has heard our
veterans, and we are taking concrete steps to reduce barriers by
cutting red tape.
Mr. Speaker, I don't know why anyone would be opposed to that, which
is why I urge my colleagues to support the legislation.
Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from Nevada (Mrs. Lee) that the House suspend the rules and
pass the bill, S. 760.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mrs. LEE of Nevada. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The yeas and nays were ordered.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further
proceedings on this motion will be postponed.
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