[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 89 (Wednesday, May 22, 2024)]
[Senate]
[Page S3857]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      By Ms. COLLINS (for herself and Mr. Kaine):
  S. 4391. A bill to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act 
to recognize digital skills and digital literacy as critical adult 
education and literacy objectives, and for other purposes; to the 
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Ms. COLLINS. Madam President, I rise today to introduce the Investing 
in Digital Skills Act, a bill that would help strengthen computer 
skills in the American workforce. This bill, which I am introducing 
today with my colleague Senator Tim Kaine, would make important updates 
to the Workforce Investment and Opportunity Act, known as WIOA, to help 
workers meet the digital skills demands of today's jobs.
  A key goal of WIOA is to help Americans overcome barriers to 
obtaining high-quality jobs and careers. The law requires State and 
local service providers to offer adult education and skills development 
programs that accelerate achievement of diplomas and credentials among 
American workers. This Investing in Digital Skills Act would allow 
information literacy and digital skills to be included among the skills 
development programs within these adult education programs.
  Our legislation would help prepare individuals for the evolving 
demands of the digital economy, enhancing their employability and skill 
sets in a technologically advanced job market. Recent research 
conducted in partnership between National Skills Coalition and the 
Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta found that 92 percent of jobs require 
digital skills, yet more than 30 percent of workers lack even 
foundational digital abilities. The research also found huge financial 
incentives for this upskilling: Jobs that require at least one digital 
skill earn 23 percent more than a job requiring none.
  This issue is important to Mainers. Lisa Robertson, the director of 
York Adult Education, wrote to me, saying, ``Your bill would address a 
significant gap in current workforce development initiatives by 
recognizing the importance of digital skills training for adult 
learners. In today's rapidly evolving job market, proficiency in 
digital literacy is no longer just a valuable asset; it is essential 
for individuals to succeed. . . .'' I appreciate Lisa's insights about 
today's workforce needs. By modernizing WIOA with new tools to teach 
digital skills, the Investing in Digital Skills Act would help 
Americans maintain their competitive edge in workforce.
  I urge my colleagues to support our legislation.

                          ____________________