Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Rep. Stephanie Bice (R-OK) on March 24 aims to help fill the most critical job vacancies identified by the state and local workforce boards.
“The price of college tuition continues to skyrocket, yet we have unmet workforce needs throughout our communities,” Rep. Bice said.
The Workforce Education and Partnership Act of 2026, H.R. 8039, which Rep. Bice sponsored alongside lead original cosponsor U.S. Rep. Sara Jacobs (D-CA), would authorize the expansion of three existing Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act grant programs to create new partnerships between employers and educational institutions to address the workforce gaps.
“This legislation will support public-private partnership programs and equip states with the tools they need to meet demand,” the congresswoman said. “Career tech programs help address these shortages and boost local production. We must continue to support them.”
The development of partnerships would be made between educational institutions, including area career and technical education schools and institutions of higher education, and employers to create or improve workforce development programs to address the identified education and skill needs of the workforce and the employment needs of employers in the region for the Youth Workforce Development Programs for High-Demand Occupations, the Statewide Adult Workforce Development Programs for High-Demand Occupations, and the Local Adult Workforce Development Programs for High-Demand Occupations.
“Across the country, a growing disconnect between institutions of higher education and the workforce leads to critical jobs unfilled and too many workers without clear pathways to stable, good-paying careers,” said Rep. Jacobs. “This legislation will embolden our skilled workforce, expand opportunity, and drive sustainable economic growth in our communities.”
H.R. 8039 has been referred to the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee for consideration.