October 13, 2008

Senator Patty Murray (WA) on September 25 unveiled legislation to help state and regional leaders increase graduation rates and prepare America’s next generation of highly skilled workers. The Promoting Innovations to 21st Century Careers Act establishes a federal grant program to support state efforts to help young adults transition from high school to post-secondary education and on to high-paying careers of the future. As Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Employment and Workplace Safety, Murray held hearings and forums with education, workforce, business and labor experts in preparation for the introduction of the bill. Murray also sat down with high school students across her home state of Washington to hear what kind of support they feel is needed to help them succeed in both school and the workforce.

“In America we know that the future strength of our country lies in the hands of our children. They are the future of our industries, our economy and our status in the world. But right now that future is at a crossroads. Drop-out rates are up, unemployment is up and the high-wage, high-skilled jobs of the future are going unfilled. Now is the time to work together to find new solutions that will not only benefit both our kids and our schools but also our economy in the long-run,” Murray said. “That’s why I have brought together experts from across the spectrum to come up with a plan that provides incentives for states to invest in new ways to help our kids and economy succeed. As education becomes part of the national dialogue again, I am hopeful that we will talk seriously about the new partnerships and innovative ideas that we are proposing in my bill to make education work for our kids, our businesses and our future.”

Murray was joined in introducing the bill by co-sponsors and fellow members of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP), Senators Edward M. Kennedy (MA), Hillary Rodham Clinton (NY), Sherrod Brown (OH), and Bernard Sanders (VT).

The Promoting Innovations to 21st Century Careers Act helps address critical education and workforce needs with:

• New Resources – Establishes $912 million in federal grants that can be used by state and regional partnerships to help students move from high school, to a wide array of post-secondary education options, to skilled careers.

• Strong Partnerships – Requires state and regional partnerships applying for funding to include representatives from high schools, post-secondary education, businesses, labor, workforce, and economic development.

• Supporting Innovations – Encourages state and regional partnerships to develop career pathways for high school students that include counseling, mentoring, work-based experiences, and assistance in obtaining degrees, apprenticeships, and other postsecondary credentials.

• Real Accountability – Incorporates measures to evaluate success of state and regional efforts including reports to Congress.

For more information on this legislation visit: http://murray.senate.gov/workforce/careersact-summary.pdf