Rick Allen: “This amendment directs governors to appoint administrators of adult education and literacy programs to be members of…”

“This amendment directs governors to appoint administrators of adult education and literacy programs to be members of local workforce investment boards. That is the current law but the underlying bill strips that provision out of the proposal. This amendment would ensure that workforce investment boards are well-informed when developing strategies to strengthen and improve our Nation's workforce. Business and workforce representatives need to be aware of all that the adult education system can offer. As the participation in adult education continues to grow, we must expand and support a strong relationship between the education community and the business sector. The better educated and informed our workforce, the better our businesses can compete in the global economy. We know that a person with a college degree earns more than $1 million in the course of his or her lifetime as compared to someone with a high school diploma. Clearly education is a vital part of developing a successful workforce. Adult educators must continue to have a voice in workforce development, and that is what my amendment would provide.”