Ask Congress to Support the JOBS Act

By Laura Walling, Senior Director of Government Relations, Goodwill Industries International

The bipartisan Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students (JOBS) Act of 2023 (H.R. 793/S. 161) was recently reintroduced in the House and Senate. If enacted, federal Pell Grant eligibility would be expanded to high-quality, short-term job training programs.  Original sponsors include Senators Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Mike Braun (R-IN), and Representatives Bill Johnson (R-OH), Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE), Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Michael Turner (R-OH).

Students enrolled currently in short-term training programs like many of those implemented by local Goodwill organizations are not eligible for Pell Grants.  These restrictions leave out many programs provided over a short duration that provide the education and skills necessary for in-demand careers and culminate in meaningful credentials that place people on strong career pathways in critical in-demand sectors like IT, health care, and manufacturing.

Those seeking short-term skills training programs to advance their careers should receive investments in the same way we invest in those obtaining a two-year or four-year degree. Visit our Legislative Action Center to take action and ask your lawmakers to co-sponsor this important legislation valuable to employers and workers looking to advance their careers and improved their skills.