The US House Ways and Means Human Resources Subcommittee held its third hearing focusing on the US jobs gap. Chairman Adrian Smith (R-NE), in his opening statement, indicated that the purpose of this series of hearings is to demonstrate how, as the US economy continues to strengthen following the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the demand for workers by US companies is growing and human services programs can play an important role in supporting the next wave of workers needed to continue this economic growth.
On April 17th, the Subcommittee heard testimony from the Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta. Secretary Acosta shared the federal government’s perspective on this issue. Secretary Acosta told the Committee in his opening remarks how the Department of Labor has been working to keep our economy moving forward because as it fires on all cylinders with the help of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The Department of Labor is working to expand apprenticeships across all industries through the streamlining of traditional workforce education. Secretary Acosta, in his remarks, also emphasized the demand from governors for more flexibility to focus funds on where they can best serve the needs of communities. He indicated that “it’s not just cooperation between the agencies, but also flexibility to allow the governors to focus workforce education funds where they best serve the needs of their states.”
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