Last month, UNITE-LA took part in the National Skills Coalition Advocacy Skills Summit Day, virtually.

As you might recall from our last newsletter, the National Skills Coalition (NSC) comprises employers from a range of industries across the nation who are concerned about our nation's skills gap, and this event is an opportunity for businesses of all sizes, across all sectors, and from all parts of the country to come together around shared workforce policy needs. Edgar Castillo, Senior Manager of Workforce Policy and Systems, met virtually with Development/Education policy leads of member staff from the offices of Sen. Alex Padilla, Congresswoman Karen Bass and Congressman Jimmy Gomez. Edgar, representing UNITE-LA, advocated on three separate issues:

• Seeking an investment of $40 billion from Congress for workforce training programs that prepare workers for good jobs with hire-ready employers, where employees will earn sustaining wage or higher jobs, in jobs with a career path;
• Asking Congress to prioritize sector partnerships to drive industry-specific training and hiring strategies; and
• Urging Congress to expand the Pell Grant eligibility to include high-quality, short-term training programs – with virtual and/or in-person classes – that help workers rapidly enter into high-quality, in-demand jobs with a career path.