Jay Rockefeller: “In general, I believe that our country must improve our Federal job training programs to reduce fragmentation and…”

“In general, I believe that our country must improve our Federal job training programs to reduce fragmentation and increase efficiency. I also firmly believe that we should maintain our longstanding commitments to workers who are dislocated by Federal trade policy. Two programs under the Finance Committee provide assurances that workers who are dislocated because of Federal trade policies will get retraining and support--the Trade Adjustment Assistance Act [TAA] and NAFTA-TAA. In my view, these programs are fundamental commitments made to workers during trade negotiations. Many West Virginia workers have relied on TAA benefits in the past. In fact, since 1990, 1,673 West Virginians qualified for TAA benefits and got retraining and income support needed to rebuild their lives and find new jobs or careers after being dislocated. For these families, TAA offered hope and a second chance. TAA means a great deal to workers in small towns that are hit with major plant closings. For example, when Hanover Shoes in Marlinton, WV, closed because of shoe imports, 231 West Virginia workers needed and got assistance thanks to TAA.”