Smucker’s bill would help more Americans upskill, re-enter workforce

To get Americans back to work in better-paying, high-demand jobs, U.S. Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) recently sponsored legislation that would allow a tax credit for charitable donations to nonprofit organizations that provide workforce training and education scholarships to America’s qualified elementary and secondary students.

“The latest report of a record 9.2 million jobs available nationwide reflects what I have heard from small businesses across Lancaster and York counties. Employers simply cannot find enough skilled workers to meet their demand,” Rep. Smucker said. “This legislation will help invest in critical workforce development and apprenticeship programs to help ensure that workers are ready for the jobs available today.”

Rep. Smucker on June 30 introduced the USA Workforce Tax Credit Act, H.R. 4287, to encourage charitable donations for community-based apprenticeship initiatives, career and technical education, workforce development, and K-12 educational preparedness.

If enacted, H.R. 4287 would authorize eligible nonprofits that receive the tax credit to include educational institutions, community organizations, training institutes, community colleges, scholarship groups, and labor union-affiliated nonprofits, according to a bill summary provided by the congressman’s office.

The tax credit would cap at $2 billion beginning in tax year 2021, the summary says, and one-half of the credit would be set aside for job preparation initiatives, including apprenticeships, with the remainder set aside for educational preparedness scholarships for K-12 students.

H.R. 4287 has been referred for consideration to the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee.