Washington, DC — Representative Lucy McBath (GA-6)—alongside Representatives Jahana Hayes (CT-5), John Mannion (NY-22), Mark Takano (CA-39), and Mike Thompson (CA-4)—has re-introduced legislation to support the educational pursuits of American workers and prepare them for career success. H.R.1132, the Training Retention and Investment Now for a Better America (TRAIN) Act, strengthens an existing initiative in the Department of Labor (DOL) that invests in community college partnerships with their respective, local employers. The bill was previously introduced as part of the bipartisan Stronger Workforce for America Act.
“Hard-working Americans deserve access to the skills they need to compete in the global workforce and succeed,” said Rep. McBath. “Technical programs and community colleges are essential elements of an ambitious workforce pipeline, and making them accessible to low-income and non-traditional learners helps maximize worker success. The TRAIN Act is an ambitious next step in empowering working Americans and expanding opportunities as they pursue their dreams. I thank my colleagues for their collaboration as we re-introduce this important bill.”
"Community colleges are the backbone of our workforce, giving hardworking Americans the skills they need to succeed in an economy that is seeing rapid advancements every day. Through 24 years as a public school teacher and over two decades as a community college trustee, I’ve seen firsthand how the Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants open doors for students who might otherwise be left behind. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the Training, Retention, and Investment Now (TRAIN) for a Better America Act—to ensure this critical funding keeps empowering people, breaking down barriers, and creating real opportunities for years to come," said Rep. Takano.
Rep. Mannion said, “I’m glad to co-lead the TRAIN Act so more students can access higher education and a pathway to a successful career. This legislation expands community college training grants and strengthens public private workforce partnerships. In the State Senate, I more than doubled funding for apprenticeship programs and the TRAIN Act continues my commitment to creating opportunities in Central New York and the Mohawk Valley and building the workforce of the future.”
"The Strengthening Community College Training Grants Program builds capacity at community colleges to meet the skill development needs of employers and support students in obtaining good jobs in high demand industries,” said Rep. Hayes. "The TRAIN Act would expand and strengthen this grant program to increase the scope of training programs available to low-income students. Education and good-paying jobs should be accessible and attainable for all Americans wishing to pursue career goals.”
“Workforce training programs are a vital pipeline to good-paying careers in in-demand fields,” said Rep. Thompson. “The TRAIN for a Better America Act authorizes a competitive grant program so that schools like the Santa Rosa Junior College receive the funding they need to train workers for careers in good-paying occupations. This legislation will provide economic opportunity for more Californians, and I look forward to ensuring that workforce training programs receive the funding they deserve to set up a bright future for all who pursue these careers. Thank you to Rep. McBath for her work leading this bill.”
The TRAIN Act codifies and strengthens the Department of Labor’s Strengthening Community Colleges Training Grants. These competitive grant programs develop community colleges’ capacity to provide training programs that provide post-secondary credentials for in-demand occupations. In partnership with employers and the workforce training system, these community college grants must develop education and credentialing programs targeting in-demand industry sectors.