Per Scholas Applauds Colorado Senator Michael Bennet’s Better Jobs through Evidence and Innovation Act

Per Scholas is thrilled that Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet has introduced the Better Jobs through Evidence and Innovation Act, which aims to expand funding for proven workforce development programs such as Per Scholas to provide workers with more opportunities in high-paying careers such as IT, healthcare, manufacturing, and financial services.

The bill seeks to address the skills gap by investing in programs that offer long-term economic mobility, particularly for individuals without college degrees. These programs, although ready to serve both workers and employers, are currently underfunded. The Act proposes the creation of the Workforce Development Innovation Fund within the U.S. Department of Labor, which will allocate funding to evidence-based training programs that have shown measurable economic benefits for job seekers and employers. This funding will help support and prioritize effective programs and training models that have proven success in moving learners into well-paying jobs, ultimately supporting families and communities nationwide.

“Per Scholas applauds Senator Bennet for introducing this impactful resource to our workforce system. The passage of a new Workforce Development Innovation Fund would mean effective workforce training providers across the nation, like us, can keep investing in America’s most valuable asset – our people,” said Plinio Ayala, President and CEO, Per Scholas. “Prioritizing improvements based on evidence would scale programs with the best track record of helping workers and their families achieve self-sufficiency. A resource like this will allow us to reach more people, and bring economic prosperity to more communities.”

Read more about the bill and its transformative legislation.