    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: William J. Clinton (1998, Book I)]
    [May 5, 1998]
    [Page 693]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on Senate Action on Job Training Reform Legislation
    May 5, 1998

        More than 3 years ago, I proposed my ``GI bill'' for America's
    workers to reform our employment and training system for the 21st-
    century economy. Today I am very pleased that the Senate passed--with
    overwhelming bipartisan support--legislation that incorporates the
    principles articulated in my original proposal. This legislation reforms
    our job training system so that it works better for America's workers
    and is more responsive to today's rapidly changing economy. I
    particularly thank Senators Jeffords,
    Kennedy, DeWine,
    and Wellstone for their hard work at getting
    this legislation passed.
        This legislation will fundamentally reform our workforce development
    system by empowering Americans to gain new skills with a simple skill
    grant. It also consolidates the tangle of training programs; creates a
    network of One-Stop Career Centers; increases accountability to ensure
    results; allows States and communities to tailor programs to locally
    determined needs; and ensures that business, labor, and community
    organizations are full partners in system design and quality assurance.
    It targets vocational and adult education funds to educational agencies
    and institutions with the greatest need and to activities that promote
    program quality. It improves the vocational rehabilitation program by
    streamlining eligibility determination, improving State planning, and
    strengthening program accountability. And it includes the Youth
    Opportunity Areas initiative--which was funded in last year's
    appropriations process--that will create jobs and opportunity for out-
    of-school youth in high-poverty areas.
        While I have outstanding concerns with both the Senate- and House-
    passed versions of this legislation, I am confident our differences can
    be resolved quickly in conference. I urge Congress to continue to work
    in a bipartisan manner and finish the job of reforming our job training
    system by early this summer.