Key Components of Senator Tim Scott’s SKILLS Act Signed into Law

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) released the following statement today upon President Obama signing the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) into law. WIOA contains several key components of Senator Scott’s SKILLS Act (S.1911)

“I am very pleased to see the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act signed into law today, which will help transform our nation’s broken workforce development and training system,” Senator Scott said. “The law includes several key components of my SKILLS Act, and ensures those looking for work and job training have easier access to a more efficient workforce development system. This in turn will help more Americans get back to work and build a brighter future for their families.”

Scott continued, “I would also like to thank Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) for her leadership in the House on this issue, and for my colleagues on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for coming together to get things done for the American people.”

Senator Scott’s priorities from his SKILLS Act (S.1911) included in today’s WIOA bill:

• The elimination of delays currently hindering job seekers from immediately accessing job training services (commonly known as“sequence of services”).
• The elimination of 15 programs identified as ineffective or duplicative to create a streamlined effort that will better serve job seekers.
• Independent evaluations every 4 years for workforce development and job training programs.
• Keeping the Rehabilitation Services Administration at the Department of Education where it currently is housed.

Senator Scott offered the SKILLS Act as an original part of his Opportunity Agenda, which he announced last January. Other pieces of the Opportunity Agenda include the CHOICE Act, S.1909, which expands educational opportunities for children with disabilities, children living on military bases, and children living in impoverished areas; the SEA Jobs Act, S.2202, which expands America’s energy production to offshore Atlantic states to increase responsible offshore energy production, create jobs, grow the economy, lower energy prices, spur new educational training programs, and strengthen America’s national security by lessening dependence on dangerous countries for energy; and the LEAP Act, S.2234, with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ), which increases apprenticeships through a new federal tax credit for employers.