Washington, D.C. - Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Education and the Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions Subcommittee Ranking Member Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA), and Education and the Workforce Committee Ranking Member Robert C. Scott (D-VA) introduced the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act which provides opportunities for students and workers looking to gain skills in high-demand fields by allowing Pell Grants to support students enrolled in high-quality short-term workforce programs that will lead to career advancement.
“I am proud to join my colleagues in introducing the Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act to expand learning opportunities for the development of a skilled workforce. This bill will allow Pell Grants to be used for high-quality short-term programs that equip students to join our workforce immediately,” said Congresswoman Elise Stefanik. “Unlocking skills and development opportunities will help connect workers with high-demand career fields in Upstate New York and the North Country.”
“America has always been a skills-based economy so it’s critical that we retool the Pell Grant to match the education needs of both students and employers,” said Chairwoman Foxx. “The Bipartisan Workforce Pell Act achieves this goal by elevating skills-based programs, investing in upskilling, and promoting an education model tailored to workforce needs. This bill is a major win for students and workers, as well as employers who are desperately looking to fill in-demand jobs.”
Specifically, the Workforce Pell Act would:
- Helps low-income students participate in short-term programs to move into a job quickly.
- Creates a quality assurance system for Workforce Pell Grant programs—allowing any type of education provider to participate as long as they meet all the requirements.
- Guarantees that program prices are aligned with economic value, so students and taxpayers receive a positive return on investment.
- Ensures programs provide students with relevant education and competencies necessary for employment.
- Outlines a process for recognized accreditors to oversee Workforce Pell programs at the institutions they accredit and supports the on-ramp of new expert accreditors to oversee Workforce Pell programs, minimizing the time it will take for full implementation of Workforce Pell.
