Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) wrote an opinion piece that laid out his plan to expand Pell Grant eligibility for high-quality, short-term workforce programs.
“By modernizing Pell Grant eligibility, we can give more Americans the tools to succeed in an evolving job market and boost our economy with an influx of new skilled workers. In just eight weeks, a student could gain valuable, marketable skills to help them thrive in the modern workplace and raise their income. …
“It’s time to build a workforce strategy as modern and dynamic as the economy we’re preparing it for,” Senator Budd wrote.
Read the op-ed that ran in The News & Observer HERE or below:
Sen. Ted Budd: How we can get more Americans the work skills they need
Across the country, more Americans are questioning the belief that a four-year college degree is the only gateway to a stable, successful career. As we enter a new era of rapid technological innovation, tools like artificial intelligence are completely rewiring how our industries operate, forcing employers to reconsider the qualifications that matter most in today’s job market.
We cannot build tomorrow’s workforce based on the blueprint for yesterday’s economy. More than 85% of companies are experiencing, or expect to experience, a significant skills gap within the next five years. Leading employers at major companies have already recognized this and adapted, hiring based on skills and abilities, not just degrees.
Congress should lean into this new reality by creating opportunities that reward continued learning so America can attract, develop and retain talent while making our economy more competitive. Whether it is through advanced manufacturing certifications or healthcare tech training, practical knowledge and adaptability are now the most valuable currency in our labor market.
North Carolina is one of the top three states in the country to do business and a leader in economic growth. Despite this momentum, we are still leaving potential on the table. In today’s competitive economy, employers urgently need a steady pipeline of workers with in-demand skills to fill critical job openings. Unfortunately, many programs remain financially out of reach for those who could benefit most. Because of this, businesses across North Carolina continue to face a shortage of qualified candidates, leaving too many positions unfilled and growth opportunities unrealized.
While the federal Pell Grant program provides critical support to low-income students pursuing degrees, it excludes short-term training programs that could offer flexible, more affordable pathways to good-paying jobs. By excluding these programs from Pell Grant eligibility, we’re undermining the career prospects of millions of hardworking Americans.
This is a missed opportunity for individuals eager to build their careers and for employers who are desperate for skilled talent. If companies are rethinking how they evaluate candidates by placing more value on practical skills and adaptability, then our policies should do the same.
That’s why I introduced the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act in the Senate, to modernize how we prepare Americans for the workforce. By expanding Pell Grants to include short-term, skills-based education, my legislation empowers individuals to advance their careers without incurring long-term debt, and it equips businesses with a broader, better-prepared talent pool ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy.
By modernizing Pell Grant eligibility, we can give more Americans the tools to succeed in an evolving job market and boost our economy with an influx of new skilled workers. In just eight weeks, a student could gain valuable, marketable skills to help them thrive in the modern workplace and raise their income.
This is about expanding opportunities. It’s about giving members of the workforce the flexibility to choose the path that best aligns with their goals, timelines and financial realities. To build a well-rounded, future-ready workforce, we must invest in alternative education pathways that align with today’s economic realities and open doors for the millions of Americans eager to work, but left without access to the skills jobs currently demand.
It’s time to build a workforce strategy as modern and dynamic as the economy we’re preparing it for.
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