WASHINGTON — Today, Higher Learning Advocates submitted comments to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions in response to a request for input on policy ideas on workforce development. Higher Learning Advocates was pleased to submit comments for review, particularly as there has never been a more important time to ensure that postsecondary education and training are responsive to the needs of all of today’s students. Our recommendations include:
Recommendations on how to enhance or improve workforce training in direct relation to the COVID-19 pandemic and economic recovery, including ways to address workforce needs of the healthcare and public health sectors
- Broadband for online training and higher education
- Short-term Pell
- More funding for WIOA that is used specifically for training services
Reforms to programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act
- Child care assistance for those in workforce training and postsecondary education
- Wraparound services for training participants and higher education students
- Community College Workforce Program
Ways to develop, modernize, and diversify the national apprenticeship system, including innovative approaches such as youth apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship
- Better reporting on populations access and completing apprenticeships
Strategies to encourage innovation to address worker and industry needs
- Innovation Fund at the Department of Labor