Central Louisiana News

Congresswoman Julia Letlow (R-LA) has teamed up with Representatives Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Rick Allen (R-GA), and Michelle Steel (R-CA) to reintroduce the Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act. The goal of this legislation is to modernize the workplace and help job seekers by effectively identifying and validating their existing skills, whether acquired through prior work experience, military service, life experience, or education.

In a statement, Congresswoman Letlow emphasized the importance of connecting job seekers with employers and leveraging their skills and education. She believes that this bill is a crucial step in helping more Americans find employment and contribute to a strong economy.

Congresswoman Stefanik echoed this sentiment, stating that the bill aims to modernize how the workforce system evaluates skills learned from military service and prior work. She highlighted the need to recognize the valuable experiences and backgrounds of individuals, including servicemembers, who may not have traditional academic degrees. By acknowledging the power of experience, she believes that the Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act will benefit not only job seekers but also the economy of New York's 21st district.

Congressman Allen, drawing from his own experience as a business owner, emphasized the importance of hiring employees with the necessary skills to excel in their roles. He acknowledged that many qualified job seekers with valuable skills are often overlooked by employers. With millions of unfilled jobs across the nation, he stressed the need to move away from the traditional focus on four-year college degrees. Congressman Allen expressed pride in joining his colleagues to reintroduce the legislation, which promotes skills-based hiring and empowers individuals to achieve the American Dream.

Congresswoman Steel emphasized the value of real-life experience in the workplace. She believes that the Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act has the potential to change the lives of many workers for the better and address critical needs in the labor market. She expressed gratitude to Congresswoman Stefanik for introducing the bill and to her colleagues for their support in investing in the futures of countless Americans.

The Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act focuses on updating the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to enhance the use of competency-based assessments in the workforce system. It directs states to collaborate with industry organizations, employers, training providers, local workforce boards, and institutions of higher education to identify or develop assessments that measure an individual's knowledge, skills, and abilities. The purpose of these assessments is to award recognized postsecondary credentials valued by employers or provide postsecondary credit towards earning such credentials. Additionally, the legislation aims to develop individual employment plans that identify in-demand industry sectors or occupations and the necessary upskilling required for employment in those fields. It also seeks to assist individuals in effectively communicating their skills to prospective employers through skills-based resumes, profiles, or portfolios.

The Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act represents a proactive approach to modernizing the workplace and ensuring that job seekers' skills are properly recognized and utilized. By breaking away from the traditional emphasis on academic degrees and valuing real-life experiences, this legislation has the potential to create more opportunities for individuals to find meaningful employment and contribute to the economy.

To learn more, click on this link: https://letlow.house.gov/media/press-releases/letlow-stefanik-allen-steel-re-introduce-bill-modernize-workplace-effectively