U.S. Sens. Roger Marshall (R-KS) and Chris Coons (D-DE) introduced legislation in the U.S. Senate this week that seeks to promote more jobs in skilled labor trades.
There has been an employment gap in several industries due to shortages in skilled trade labor, specifically among electricians, carpenters, plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters. Further, about 41 percent of the workforce in this industry is expected to retire by 2031 according to the Associated General Contractors of America. These labor shortages can cause delays in the completion of projects on large commercial buildings, small business improvements, and residential projects.
The bill, the Supporting Small Business Career and Technical Education Act, S. 4881, would amend the Small Business Act to include requirements relating to graduates of career and technical education programs or programs of study for small business development centers and women’s business centers.
“I managed Great Bend Regional Hospital for many years. I understand how challenging it is to have enough employees on your team to keep up with demand. We often hear how our big cities and small towns alike struggle with access to essential trade services, and part of the problem is there aren’t enough people with the skills to provide those services,” Marshall said.
“Senator Coons and I are offering a solution with this bill that helps CTE graduates get jobs with small businesses in areas where their trade skills are needed and, if a community does not have a business that offers a certain trade, our bill assists CTE graduates with starting their own,” he added.
S. 4881 is companion legislation to a similar bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives by Rep. Roger Williams (R-TX).
“Skilled workers make extraordinary contributions to the economy and provide critical services that Americans depend on every day,” Williams said. “This bill will encourage more young people to pursue valuable CTE professions and assist graduates in translating their skills into their own small businesses one day. I look forward to working with the two Senators to get this bill to the President’s desk to become law.”