Rod Grams: “the Federal job training system, as we know, is broken. The current patchwork of 163 programs is failing to give us the…”

“the Federal job training system, as we know, is broken. The current patchwork of 163 programs is failing to give us the results we need as a Nation to compete in a worldwide economy. Furthermore, we can no longer afford the $25 billion it costs American taxpayers each year. To improve results, the legislation before us will send one block grant to the States allowing each State to invest this money in the most efficient and effective employment programs. But with those dollars comes responsibilities. States would be accountable for how that money is spent. The State must be able to show how it meets or exceeds several specific performance standards. Such standards include increasing the number of job placements, increasing the length of time participants stay employed and increasing participant earnings. While these are noble goals, as it currently stands, S. 143 requires the plan to be developed into three distinct parts: The strategic plan, the work force education plan, and the work force employment plan. It also requires the block grant to be set aside into three separate pots of money: 25 percent for the Governor; 25 percent for the State education agency; and 50 percent for a flex account which is jointly administered by a broad-based group of State officials and private sector individuals.”