(Washington, DC, September 19, 2022) – Today US Senators Roger Marshall, MD and Chris Coons (D-DE) presented Small Business Career Support and Technical Education Act, bipartisan legislation that helps small businesses hire new workers and supports aspiring entrepreneurs. Specifically, the bill directs Small Business Development Centers (SBDCs) and Women’s Business Centers (WBCs) to assist small businesses in hiring career and technical education (CTE) program graduates. The bill also gives CTE graduates access to SBDC and WBC resources that are helpful for starting a small business
“I ran Great Bend Regional Hospital for many years. I understand how challenging it is to have enough employees on your team to keep up with demand. We often hear how our big cities and small towns struggle with access to essential commercial services, and part of the problem is that there aren’t enough people with the skills to provide those services.” said Senator Marshall. “Senator Coons and I are offering a bipartisan solution with this bill that helps CTE graduates find jobs with small businesses in areas where their trade skills are needed and, if a community doesn’t have a business that offers a particular trade , our bill helps CTE graduates with their start.”
“Delaware’s small businesses, whether in health care, construction, or engineering, are hungry to hire workers with specialized skills. The Small Business Career and Technical Education Support Act will help bridge the gap between these businesses and the students in career and technical education institutes who are being trained to fill those well-paying jobs to get the opportunities that they deserve. said Senator Coons. “I’m proud to work with my colleague from across the aisle to ensure that Delawareans and workers across the country can get the most out of their careers.”
Bipartisan Small Business Career Support and Technical Education Act introduced by Senators Marshall and Coons is the Senate companion to legislation introduced in the House by Congressman Roger Williams (TX-25).
“I am proud to see Senator Coons and Senator Marshall introduce the Senate companion to the Small Business Support and Career and Technical Education Act.” said Congressman Williams. “Skilled workers make tremendous contributions to the economy and provide critical services that Americans depend on every day. This bill will encourage more young people to pursue worthwhile CTE careers and help graduates translate their skills into their own small businesses one day. I look forward to working with the two senators to get this bill to the President’s desk to become law.”
You can click here to read the full text of Small Business Career Support and Technical Education Act.
Background:
A shortage of skilled trades labor is causing an employment gap in some industries. For example, the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that there were 393,000 unfilled construction positions in July 2022. That’s a 7.9% increase over July 2021. These unfilled jobs include electricians, carpenters, plumbers, plumbers and steamfitters. Adding to the problem, 41% of the workforce in this industry is expected to retire by 2031 according to the Associated General Contractors of America.
Labor shortages in these areas are persistent across the United States and cause delays in the completion of projects for large commercial buildings, small business improvements and residential projects.
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