Representative Angie Craig Urges Inclusion of Bipartisan Bill to Support Apprenticeship Colleges in American Competitiveness Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representative Angie Craig urged Members of Congress on the Conference Committee for the America COMPETES Act and United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 (USICA) to prioritize the continued inclusion of her bipartisan Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act in the final, negotiated package.Craig's amendment, which was included in the House version of the bill earlier this year, would help to bolster America's skilled workforce by helping local apprenticeship colleges connect with potential students hoping to start careers in the trades.

"As our nation finally begins to recover from the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that everyone can find quality education that leads to the stable employment they deserve," Craig wrote. "Our workers require sound career and technical education to better play their vital roles in improving workforce productivity. We must invest in our skilled trade workers to promote a stronger economy and ensure the well-being of our constituents."

In February, the House of Representatives passed the America COMPETES Act, which included Craig's amendment to support American apprenticeship colleges. In June of 2021, the Senate passed their own version of the legislation known as the United States Innovation and Competition Act (USICA). In order to reconcile differences between the two bills, the House and Senate will soon start negotiating differences between their two approaches to bolster American manufacturing and increase U.S. competitiveness abroad. The legislation aims to increase U.S. competitiveness with China, support American manufacturing, address supply chain bottlenecks and lower prices for working Americans.

Craig's bipartisan Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act Amendment would provide community grants for apprenticeship colleges to expand and support outreach to potential students and employers – in an effort to help promote careers in the trades, revitalize the American manufacturing industry and connect working Americans with good-paying careers in their own communities.

You can find the full text of the letter copied below and

Honorable Patty Murray The Honorable Richard Burr
428 Senate Dirksen Office Building 428 Senate Dirksen Office Building
Washington, DC 20510 Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Bobby Scott The Honorable Virginia Foxx
2176 Rayburn House Office Building 2101 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515 Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairwoman Murray, Chairman Scott, Ranking Member Burr, and Ranking Member Foxx:

Thank you for your leadership and commitment to the American people. I write to you today related to your role on the Conference Committee for the America COMPETES Act and United States Innovation and Competition Act of 2021 (USICA). I was proud to vote for the House passage of America COMPETES and look forward to a conferenced version of this important jobs and competitiveness package.

I urge the continued inclusion of my bipartisan Supporting Apprenticeship Colleges Act, included in the America COMPETES Act in Division J, Title IX, in the final package. This vital program would help to bolster America's skilled workforce by supporting current and future students joining the trades through community grants to expand and support outreach to potential students and employers.

Federally accredited apprentice programs have often been left out of higher education grant programs despite the extraordinary work they do to prepare students for high-demand jobs. Many of the common barriers for low-income students, such as childcare and support for first-generation students, continue to go unaddressed.

As our nation finally begins to recover from the many challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is essential that everyone can find quality education that leads to the stable employment they deserve. Our workers require sound career and technical education to better play their vital roles in improving workforce productivity. We must invest in our skilled trade workers to promote a stronger economy and ensure the well-being of our constituents.

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