Earlier this week, Sens. Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Rob Portman (R-OH), and Reps. Andy Levin (D-MI) and Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH) introduced the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act of 2021, or the JOBS Act, to expand federal Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term job training programs.
Currently, Federal Pell Grants are not available to postsecondary CTE students in short-term certificate programs that provide the education and skills necessary for many in-demand careers. This is because Pell Grant eligibility is limited based on a program's clock hours and/or length. As a result, many students across the country do not have access to high-quality, short-term CTE programs that culminate in meaningful credentials that are proven to increase earning potentials and employment opportunities. That's why ACTE, along with other education organizations and employers, sent a letter to Congressional leadership expressing strong support for the JOBS Act, while asking for its immediate passage.
Specifically, the JOBS Act would:
- Expand Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in rigorous and high-quality short-term skills and job training programs that lead to industry-based credentials and ultimately employment in high-wage, high-skill industry sectors or careers.
- Ensure that students who receive Pell Grants are earning high-quality postsecondary credentials by requiring that the credentials:
- Meet the standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), such as meaningful career counseling and aligning programs to in-demand career pathways or registered apprenticeship programs.
- Align with the Perkins Career and Technical Education Act’s program of study definition.
- Are recognized by employers, industry, or sector partnerships.
- Align with the skill needs of industries in the state or local economy.
- Are approved by the state workforce board in addition to the U.S. Department of Education.
- Define eligible job training programs as those providing career and technical education instruction at an institution of higher education, such as a community or technical college that provides:
- At least 150 clock hours of instruction time over a period of at least 8 weeks.
- Training that meets the needs of the local or regional workforce and industry partnerships.
- Institutional credit articulation so students can continue to pursue further education in their careers.
- Students with licenses, certifications, or credentials that meet the hiring requirements of multiple employers in the field for which the job training is offered.
To learn more, below are links to various documents related to the legislation:
Please continue to monitor ACTE’s Policy Watch Blog for more information as this proposal continues to make its way through Congress!
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