[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 7, 2022)]
[House]
[Pages H5253-H5255]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1615
SMALL BUSINESS WORKFORCE PIPELINE ACT OF 2022
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass
the bill (H.R. 7622) to amend the Small Business Act to include
requirements relating to apprenticeship program assistance for small
business development centers, and for other purposes.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 7622
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 ``Small Business Workforce
Pipeline Act of 2022''.
SEC. 2. SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT CENTER APPRENTICESHIP
PROGRAM ASSISTANCE.
Section 21(c)(3) of the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C.
648(c)(1)) is amended--
(1) in subparagraph (T), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) in clause (v) of the first subparagraph (U) (relating
to succession planning), by striking the period at the end
and inserting a semicolon;
(3) in second subparagraph (U) (relating to training on
domestic and international intellectual property
protections)--
(A) in clause (ii)(II), by striking the period at the end
and inserting ``; and''; and
(B) by redesignating such subparagraph as subparagraph (V);
and
(4) by adding at the end the following new subparagraph:
``(W) providing information and assistance to small
business concerns, including by disseminating relevant
information from the Department of Labor and other Federal
agencies, on how to establish and improve--
``(i) work-based learning opportunities (as defined in
section 3 of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical
Education Act of 2006 (20 U.S.C. 2302));
``(ii) apprenticeship programs registered under the Act of
August 16, 1937 (50 Stat. 664, chapter 663; commonly known as
the `National Apprenticeship Act'; 29 U.S.C. 50 et seq.);
``(iii) pre-apprenticeship programs; and
``(iv) job training programs.''.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentlewoman from
New York (Ms. Velazquez) and the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Williams)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentlewoman from New York.
General Leave
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all
Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their
remarks and include extraneous material on the measure under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentlewoman from New York?
[[Page H5254]]
There was no objection.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 7622, the Small
Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022, introduced by Mr. Crow and
cosponsored by Mr. Fitzgerald.
H.R. 7622 allows small business development centers to disseminate
information from the Department of Labor regarding job training
programs like apprenticeships and pre-apprenticeships, as well as other
work-based learning opportunities.
Throughout the past year, small businesses have been hit hard by
tightening labor markets, often struggling to compete with their larger
counterparts. As the recovery continues, unemployment drops, and job
openings grow to record heights, the smaller firms in our economy have
found it harder than ever to recruit and retain qualified workers.
One of the most effective workforce training methods used in the U.S.
today is the registered apprenticeship program, an earn-while-you-learn
system that combines classroom instruction with on-the-job training.
According to the Department of Labor, the average starting salary for a
graduate of an apprenticeship program is $72,000, and businesses retain
these employees at a rate of 92 percent.
Not only do apprenticeships provide a reliable pathway into the
middle class for workers, but they also provide top-quality talent to
the business that trained them.
With assistance provided by the SBDC network, more small firms will
have access to resources to attract and retain high-quality talent,
helping them both establish and improve these programs for their
businesses while providing training opportunities and job security to
workers.
I thank Mr. Crow for leading on this issue with a variety of hearings
on the topic and for listening to witnesses as he worked to craft this
legislation with Mr. Fitzgerald, Ms. Houlahan, and Mr. Garbarino. These
bipartisan efforts will have a lasting impact on our Main Street firms.
I urge Members to support this bill, and I reserve the balance of my
time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield myself such time as I
may consume.
Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7622, the Small Business
Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022.
Small businesses across the country are facing labor shortages and
skills gaps as our Nation remains 820,000 jobs short compared to prior
to the pandemic.
Just last week, the NFIB reported that over half of small businesses
have unfilled job openings. This is more than double the almost 50-year
historical average of 23 percent. Further, of those owners hiring or
trying to hire, 92 percent of owners reported few or no qualified
applicants for the positions they were trying to fill.
The Small Business Administration offers multiple resources to small
businesses to help them face the current economic headwinds and labor
challenges. One of these resources is the small business development
centers, which have served to be a valuable tool for entrepreneurs and
offer free training, counseling, and support for small businesses.
This legislation will further improve SBDCs by expanding their
ability to assist small businesses in establishing and improving work-
based learning opportunities and apprenticeship programs.
To be clear, this legislation supports all work-based learning
opportunities.
I thank Congressman Crow as well as Congressman Fitzgerald,
Congresswoman Houlahan, and Congressman Garbarino for working in a
bipartisan manner to ensure this bill reached the House floor. I also
thank the chair for advancing this bill.
Madam Speaker, I encourage all of my colleagues to support H.R. 7622,
which was unanimously reported out of our committee. I reserve the
balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from
Colorado (Mr. Crow).
Mr. CROW. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7622, the Small
Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022.
As we help small businesses navigate the labor shortage, it is more
important than ever that we support small businesses as they work to
find quality workers and fill positions.
I am a huge proponent of work-based learning opportunities like
apprenticeships that help small businesses fill job openings and help
their workers get the skills they need so they can support their
families. Work-based learning opportunities are a great way to attract
quality candidates who may not be able to attend traditional education
models.
The Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022 aims to empower
small business development centers, like the Aurora-South Metro SBDC in
my district, to help small businesses establish and improve their
apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, and job training programs.
This bill would help workers gain the skills they need for in-demand
jobs and help small businesses grow their business.
I thank Chairwoman Velazquez and Ranking Member Luetkemeyer for
bringing this bill to the floor and Representatives Fitzgerald,
Houlahan, and Garbarino for their partnership on this bill.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting H.R.
7622.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, I yield such time as he may
consume to my colleague from Wisconsin (Mr. Fitzgerald), a tireless
advocate for small business in Wisconsin and around the country.
Mr. FITZGERALD. Madam Speaker, I thank my colleague from Texas (Mr.
Williams) for yielding me time. I thank my colleagues, specifically Mr.
Crow, for co-leading H.R. 7622, the Small Business Workforce Pipeline
Act of 2022.
The bill would allow small business development centers to provide
information and assistance to small businesses on how to establish and
improve work-based learning opportunities. It also would enhance
apprenticeship programs, pre-apprenticeship programs, and other job
training programs that many of us are very familiar with.
I hear all the time from Wisconsin small businesses back in my
district about how the country's labor shortage is affecting not only
the recruitment of skilled employees but, in particular, manufacturing
and, in my district, light manufacturing.
The latest National Federation for Independent Businesses' economic
trends report showed that while optimism in recovering to prepandemic
employment levels is increasing, we still are very much behind the
eight ball. Sixty percent of manufacturing firms report unfilled job
openings.
Apprenticeships and other job training programs provide a solution to
address the needs of the manufacturing sector. Apprenticeships are
among the most successful forms of workforce development, and through
paid and on-the-job training programs, alongside classroom education,
we can make significant strides.
This bill would directly benefit manufacturers and other businesses
in Wisconsin's Fifth District by having apprenticeships and other job-
training materials readily available to them.
Madam Speaker, I support the passage of this bill.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Mr. WILLIAMS of Texas. Madam Speaker, the SBDC program has delivered
for small businesses for many years. The Small Business Workforce
Pipeline Act of 2022 will help combat labor shortages by supporting
apprenticeships and learning opportunities through SBDCs. This bill
will help small businesses grow and equip American workers with new
skills.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 7622, and I yield
back the balance of my time.
Ms. VELAZQUEZ. Madam Speaker, there is no question that small firms
are facing the most dire consequences of a tight labor market. At a
time when the economy is recovering and businesses are seeking to
expand their operations, lack of access to a highly skilled workforce
can be frustrating to business owners and harmful to their recovery.
Maintaining economic competitiveness on the world stage means
investing in our workforce, and nobody is better equipped to do that
than the
[[Page H5255]]
small businesses fueling our economic recovery.
H.R. 7622 empowers SBDCs to expand workforce training resources to
small employers struggling to find workers, which will, in turn, grow
the skill sets of workers and the workforces of businesses.
Madam Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``yes,'' and I yield back
the balance of my time.
Ms. JACKSON LEE. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 7622, ``The
Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022.''
This bill's purpose is to amend the Small Business Act requirements
relating to apprenticeship program assistance for small business
development centers, and other purposes.
The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a labor shortage, that affected
businesses in unimaginable ways, especially small businesses.
Alarmingly, 23 percent of small businesses closed due to the pandemic
and 20 percent of small businesses that were in their first year of
operation also failed.
This is why now, more than ever, small businesses need our support by
updating the laws that support them and to encourage apprenticeships.
I support this bill's effort to establish a clear and concise plan of
action for programing and other resources from which small businesses
and their employees can benefit.
I am in favor of this legislation because apprenticeships are
tangible opportunities for successful workplace development. They
enable young workers to gain on-the job training with educational
resources that deliver practical experience and skills, equipping them
for future career opportunities.
This ``learn as you work'' style gives access to people who may not
be able to purse traditional educational routes.
Historically, apprenticeships focused on skills for a narrow range of
industries that could also benefit from the academic credit and
mentorship opportunities. For employers finding a hard time hiring
qualified employees, apprenticeships are a direct investment that small
businesses realize will successfully impact them.
Madam Speaker, this bill will provide much needed assistance to
businesses and enable them to continue their good work of providing
training skills that will allow opportunities for employees to succeed
in the workplace. This legislation will prepare workers for the 21st
century workforce, while helping businesses find the skilled employees
they need to compete.
I urge all of my colleagues to join me in supporting passage of H.R.
7622.
SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentlewoman from New York (Ms. Velazquez) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 7622.
The question was taken.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. In the opinion of the Chair, two-thirds
being in the affirmative, the ayes have it.
Mr. ROY. Madam Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to section 3(s) of House Resolution
8, the yeas and nays are ordered.
Pursuant to clause 8 of rule XX, further proceedings on this motion
are postponed.
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