WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer (R-ND) joined Senators Mike Braun (R-IN) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) in introducing the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act. The bipartisan bill would expand Pell Grant eligibility to include students enrolled in credentialed skills and job training programs of at least eight weeks.

“Our economy is only as strong as our workforce. By increasing access to job training programs and other in-demand career pathways, we are preparing the next generation of workers to meet the opportunities of tomorrow," said Senator Cramer. “The JOBS Act is a commonsense way to target labor shortages and open more doors for North Dakota employers and students by diversifying programs available to them.”

Joining Senators Cramer, Braun, and Kaine are Senators Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), John Barrasso (R-WY), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV), Ben Cardin (D-MD), Susan Collins (R-ME), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Steve Daines (R-MT), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Angus King (I-ME), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Jon Ossoff (D-GA), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ), Tina Smith (D-MN), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Roger Wicker (R-MS), and Ron Wyden (D-OR).

Click here for bill text. Click here for bill summary.

Background

The JOBS Act would amend the Higher Education Act by:

  • Expanding Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in rigorous and high-quality, short-term skills and job training programs that lead to industry-recognized credentials and certificates, and ultimately employment in high-wage, high-skill industry sectors or careers.
  • Ensuring students who receive Pell Grants are earning high-quality postsecondary credentials by requiring that the credentials:
    • Meet the standards under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), such as meaningful career counseling and aligning programs to in-demand career pathways or registered apprenticeship programs
    • Are recognized by employers, industry, or sector partnerships
    • Align with the skill needs of industries in the state or local economy
    • Are approved by the state workforce board in addition to the U.S. Department of Education
  • Defining eligible job training programs as those providing career and technical education instruction at an institution of higher education, such as a community or technical college that provides:
    • At least 150 clock hours of instruction time over a period of at least eight weeks
    • Training that meets the needs of the local or regional workforce and industry partnerships
    • Streamlined ability to transfer credits so students can continue to pursue further education in their careers
    • Students with licenses, certifications, or credentials that meet the hiring requirements of multiple employers in the field for which the job training is offered