Jim Hagedorn: “For our economy to continue growing, workers need technical skills, the right training, and education funding. Workforce…”

“For our economy to continue growing, workers need technical skills, the right training, and education funding. Workforce development is a bipartisan goal, strongly supported by both employers and employees. Small businesses, manufacturers, trade unions, and industry groups are concerned about the shortage of skilled trade workers. Sadly, many seeking technical training are precluded from using qualified 529 education savings plans, and many apprenticeships are not eligible for 529 plans as well. To solve this problem, I am proud to have introduced H.R. 4469, the American Workforce Employment Act, and I would like to offer special thanks to my colleagues, Representatives Jeff Van Drew from New Jersey, Ron Estes from Kansas, and Paul Mitchell from Michigan, for coauthoring this legislation. Our bipartisan bill expands the application of 529 savings plans to include expenses leading to postsecondary credentials, certain apprenticeships, and the purchase of tools and equipment, which is very important. These programs have been identified as critical by trade unions and manufacturers. Empowering men and women to utilize their own pretax dollars will increase the number of highly trained individuals pursuing high-wage vocations and filling workforce gaps in agriculture, manufacturing, and skilled labor sectors.…”