WASHINGTON, D.C.—Senator Ashley Moody’s legislation to help ensure more educational opportunities for technical and trade students is gaining steam—receiving additional endorsements from major trade organizations. Senator Moody’s TRADES Act would increase what elite, multi-billion-dollar-endowment universities, such as Harvard and Yale, pay for their endowment income and redirect that money to career and technical education across the U.S. The Jobs and Careers Coalition—representing 33 business groups—American Dental Hygienists Association, Automotive Service Association and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association are joining the list of endorsements for Sen. Moody’s legislation.
“It’s exciting that the TRADES Act is gaining steam—with The Jobs and Careers Coalition, American Dental Hygienists Association, Automotive Service Association and the National Independent Automobile Dealers Association joining the list of major organizations endorsing the measure. My bill supports Floridians who want to learn in-demand trades or skills, increasing America’s commitment to training the next generation for meaningful career opportunities,” said Senator Ashley Moody.
“ADHA supports congressional efforts to expand investments in career and technical education and urges Congress to ensure that dental hygiene education programs are included as eligible and prioritized recipients of any new workforce development funding. Dental hygienists are essential preventive oral health providers, and strengthening the dental hygiene workforce pipeline is critical to expanding access to care in rural and underserved communities,” said the American Dental Hygienists Association.
“As I travel around the country and meet with automotive shop owners, the number one challenge our industry faces is attracting, developing, and retaining highly skilled automotive repair technicians. This legislation will help strengthen the workforce of tomorrow by investing in Perkins Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs that prepare the next generation of skilled tradespeople, including automotive technicians. By expanding support for these programs, more students will have access to the hands-on training, skills, and opportunities they need to pursue rewarding, in-demand careers while helping meet our industry’s growing need for highly trained professionals,” said Automotive Service Association Chairman Dan Stander.
“As vehicles become increasingly sophisticated, the demand for highly trained technicians continues to outpace the available workforce. We believe targeted educational investments can transform lives while addressing critical workforce shortages. The TRADES Act would expand these opportunities by helping more individuals access the training they need to enter high demand careers. We appreciate Sen. Moody’s leadership in championing legislation that recognizes the value of skilled trades and addresses one of the most pressing workforce challenges facing the automotive industry today,” said National Independent Automobile Dealers Association Director of Government Relations & Compliance Patrick O’Brien.
“While the need for a skilled workforce continues to grow, funding continues to lag. Perkins State Grants have increased slightly but Career and Technical Education programs must have the resources to meet greater demand. The Jobs and Careers Coalition supports Senator Moody’s TRADES Act as a reasonable way to fix the CTE funding shortfall. The Jobs and Careers Coalition is a Washington-based business group focused on job training and workforce development. Members include employers and employer associations from a broad range of industries experiencing skills mismatches and worker shortages who know greater investment in CTE is crucial for the U.S. economy,” said Jobs and Careers Coalition Executive Director Craig Brightup.
The bill has already been endorsed by Hillsborough County Public Schools, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters, The Associated Equipment Distributors, The Automotive Service Association, The Associate General Contractors of America, and The Associated Industries of Florida.
“As the seventh-largest school district in the nation, Hillsborough County Public Schools serves more than 220,000 students and offers extensive career and technical education (CTE) programs that prepare students for high-skill, high-demand careers. Perkins funding is essential to supporting these programs by expanding access to industry-recognized credentials, modern equipment, work-based learning opportunities, and workforce-aligned instruction. As Florida’s demand for skilled workers continues to grow, additional Perkins funding would help districts strengthen career pathways and ensure more students graduate with the skills and credentials needed for postsecondary success and economic mobility.
“By directing additional resources to career and technical education, S. 4907 would strengthen workforce development opportunities for students while benefiting employers, communities, and Florida’s economy,” said Hillsborough County Public Schools.
“As a nation, we should encourage and invest in career paths that do not require a college education and its associated debt. This starts with supporting good, quality job training programs that result in guaranteed union job placement. Senator Moody’s bill sends a strong message about putting our money where our priorities ought to be,” said Sean M. O’Brien, President, International Brotherhood of Teamsters.
“Equipment dealers across Florida and the nation commend Senator Moody for introducing the TRADES Act and her tremendous leadership in tackling the skills gap,” said Daniel B. Fisher, Senior Vice President of Government Affairs at Associated Equipment Distributors. “The greatest challenge facing equipment dealers remains the lack of service technicians and it is long overdue that investments in career and technical education match the extreme demand for skilled workers. The TRADES Act truly represents an investment in our future workforce, which is critical for businesses to grow, and America’s continued prosperity and competitiveness.”
“Years of underinvestment in the nation’s career and technical education programs are one of the key reasons industries like construction face significant labor shortages that delay projects and increase the cost of construction. Directing new resources to the Perkins Career and Technical Education program will help expand training opportunities, strengthen the skilled trades pipeline, and better prepare the next generation of workers for high-paying careers in fields like construction. That is why the Associated General Contractors of America supports this measure, and we encourage Congress to rapidly enact it” said Associated General Contractors of America.
BACKGROUND:
- In the near future, America will need hundreds of thousands of new skilled workers to keep up with demand, including electricians, plumbers, and commercial drivers. Now more than ever, we must invest in America’s future.
- The TRADES Act would increase an existing tax on ultra-wealthy universities similar to that of the capital gains tax that Floridians already pay on their investment income. This money would then be used to provide additional funding to the Perkins Career and Technical Education grants, which currently contribute to the education of around 12 million students across the country.
- Perkins Career and Technical Education grants are the federal government’s primary way of funding career and technical education.
- The Jobs and Careers Coalition, a business coalition comprised of the below groups, has endorsed the TRADES Act:
o Air-Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute
o American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers
o American Industrial Hygiene Association
o American Staffing Association
o American Supply Association
o Associated Builders and Contractors
o Associated Equipment Distributors
o Associated General Contractors of America
o Association of Equipment Manufacturers
o Association of Nutrition & Foodservice Professionals
o Automotive Service Excellence Education Foundation
o Building Industry Policy Roundtable
o Construction Industry Round Table
o International Association of Plumbing and Mechanical Officials
o Independent Electrical Contractors
o International Code Council
o International Franchise Association
o National Asphalt Pavement Association
o National Association of Home Builders
o National Center for Construction Education and Research
o National Roofing Contractors Association
o National Stone, Sand and Gravel Association
o Opportunity America
o Partnership for New York City
o H-E-B Grocery Stores
o IBM
o International Paper
o Realityworks Inc.
o S & B Engineers and Constructors, Ltd.
o Shapiro & Duncan, Inc.
o Universal Technical Institute
o Worley
o Zachry Group
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