U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) last week introduced a bipartisan bill that would create new partnerships focused on filling what state and local workforce boards have identified as the most critical job vacancies.
Rep. Bice on Jan. 20 sponsored the Workforce and Education Partnership Act, H.R. 6436, with lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA) to authorize the expansion of three existing Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grant programs to fund and create the partnerships between employers and educational institutions, according to a bill summary provided by Rep. Bice’s office.
“Oklahoma has been incredibly successful with these education/employer partnerships,” Rep. Bice said, citing Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma County, Okla., as an example. The base partnered with the local career tech system to create programs for aviation sheet metal and maintenance technicians that will produce graduates with an Airframe and Powerplant certification, said the congresswoman.
“The majority of these graduates will have a job waiting for them upon graduation and Tinker is able to fill the gap in its workforce,” she explained. “Similar programs could be replicated throughout the U.S., helping both employers and those seeking employment.”
The State Chamber of Oklahoma and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber support H.R. 6436, which is under consideration by the U.S. House Education and Labor Committee.