Chairman Crowley Announces the Reintroduction of On-The-Job Training Act
(Washington, DC) – Today, House Democratic Caucus Chairman Joe Crowley (D-NY) announced the reintroduction of the On-The-Job Training Act of 2017, legislation that will expand employment opportunities for New Yorkers and Americans. Crowley’s On-the-Job Training Act will authorize the Department of Labor to award competitive grants to establish and support on-the-job (OJT) training programs, which connect unemployed workers with local jobs and provide employers with subsidies to pay workers’ salaries while they receive training.
“Putting New Yorkers and Americans across the country back to work and expanding opportunities to grow, compete, and succeed in today’s economy is my number one priority,” said Chairman Crowley. “We must take action now to close the skills gap and ensure our workers are prepared for the jobs of tomorrow. My bill will help job-seekers gain new skills, retain employment, and encourage businesses to hire more individuals.”
On-the-job training, which is carried out directly by employers or colleagues at the place of work, is one of the most effective ways of connecting job-seekers with practical skills needed for their careers. These programs have been proven successful among federal worker training programs. According to the Employment and Training Administration, in 2015, more than 80 percent of OJT participants still had their jobs after 9 months. Yet, despite OJT’s effectiveness and high employer interest in the program, it has yet to reach its full potential.
The On-The-Job Training Act will incentivize cities, school districts, colleges, and industry associations to set up OJT programs by establishing a distinct competitive grant program at the Department of Labor, as well as provide state and local agencies and others with support to recruit employers to participate in their programs. Applicants will be able to tailor their programs to achieve specific goals, such as serving the long-termed unemployed or training workers in targeted fields, like green technology.
Crowley’s On-the-Job Training Act has been endorsed by the National Skills Coalition and the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP).
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