Third Way Statement on Federal Workforce Development Legislation

WASHINGTON—Third Way Senior Vice President for the Economic Program Gabe Horwitz issued the following statement on the inclusion of A Stronger Workforce for America Act in the end-of-year spending bill.

“We’ve got to make it easier for workers to get the training and skills necessary for middle-class jobs. That’s why Third Way is excited to see the inclusion of the bipartisan, bicameral A Stronger Workforce Act (ASWA) in the end-of-year spending bill. ASWA makes essential improvements to our nation’s foundational legislation on workforce development, the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

“This bill from Congressional committee leaders—Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Rep. Bobby Scott (D-VA), Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), and Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA)—includes key policies that will help businesses and workers better navigate our changing economy. We are also proud that the bill takes numerous ideas that Third Way and other advocates have long championed. The legislation will bolster sector partnerships, expand work-based learning for young adults, strengthen community colleges’ role in workforce development, and make meaningful strides towards supporting employers in skills-based hiring efforts. The bill’s emphasis on accountability, quality, and transparency in training programs means workers can more easily acquire the high-quality credentials they need to access good-paying jobs. Additionally, the flexibility to use existing resources for supportive services will help more individuals start and finish training programs.

“While this bill makes meaningful progress towards fixing critical cracks in our workforce system, we cannot stop here. For Americans without a college degree, pathways to the middle class depend on a strong workforce development system—one that invests in bolstering apprenticeships, portable and transparent credentials, and access to key supportive services. With our workforce system already deeply underfunded, it is also critical that the incoming Trump administration doesn’t further slash investments.

“This bill is a step in the right direction towards creating a workforce development system that will help all workers thrive. We encourage its swift passage through both chambers.”