In a bipartisan and bicameral effort, U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, and U.S. Representative David Valadao have introduced the 'Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act' to expand access to digital skills training for American job seekers [29a5aeae]. The legislation aims to address the digital skills gap, as nearly one third of workers do not have the foundational digital skills required for today's workforce. The bill proposes the establishment of a new 'Digital Skills at Work' grant program, which would provide targeted investments in digital skills training within postsecondary education, adult education, and workforce development systems [29a5aeae].
This bipartisan effort aligns with the recent passage of the 'A Stronger Workforce for America Act' by the U.S. House of Representatives, which aims to bolster workforce development programs and address workforce gaps in Connecticut, particularly in the manufacturing sector [10926eb0]. The bill includes provisions such as using half of the adult and dislocated worker funding for teaching workers additional skills and focusing on employer-led programs [10926eb0].
The 'Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act' has received endorsements from various local Chambers of Commerce, workforce development boards, education systems, and national education and skills training organizations. These endorsements highlight the importance of expanding digital skills training to meet the demands of the evolving job market [29a5aeae].
The introduction of this legislation comes at a critical time for Connecticut, as the state is falling behind in advanced manufacturing workforce and innovation efforts. The proposed 'Digital Skills at Work' grant program, along with the provisions of the 'A Stronger Workforce for America Act,' could help address the workforce gaps and support the growth of programs like the Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative. These initiatives would have a positive impact on Connecticut's manufacturing sector and contribute to the overall economic development of the state [10926eb0] [29a5aeae].