AWFS® Member Company Representatives Visit Legislators; Advocate for Apprenticeships

Ten members of the Association of Woodworking & Furnishings Suppliers® (AWFS®) Public Policy committee called on the offices of 21 legislators and agency staff in Washington on March 27^th, to encourage support for the PARTNERS Act and Skills Investment Act. The committee also encouraged their representatives to join the House and Senate CTE Caucuses to support Career Technical Education.

AWFS Committee members with Rep. Lou Correa (D-CA-46)

AWFS® is championing the PARTNERS Act and the Skills Investment Act because both bills expand opportunities for more apprenticeships and work-based learning, particularly for small and mid-sized companies. The PARTNERS Act (HR 989/S 431) “would establish a grant program to support the creation and expansion of industry partnerships to help small and medium sized businesses develop work-based learning programs and provide mentoring and support services for workers.”; it was introduced in the House by Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR-1) and Congressman Drew Ferguson (R-GA-3) and in the Senate by Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI).

The Skills Investment Act (HR898/S 275) “expands tax-favored Coverdell education savings accounts to allow the accounts to be used for educational or skill development expenses such as training services, career and technical education activities, career services, youth workforce investment activities, and adult education.”  It was introduced in the House by Rep. Derek Kilmer (D-WA-6) and in the Senate by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN).

During each meeting, AWFS stressed our interest in developing long-term relationships with the hill members, inviting them to site visits and “using us as a resource” on issues related to workforce development and industry Career Technical Education needs. Some legislators were also invited to the AWFS®Fair, where there will be a special complimentary legislative session for attendees on Friday, July 19 (stay tuned for more details).

“We had a full day of productive meetings,” said Public Policy Committee Chair Rob Howell. “Some offices weren’t yet familiar with the PARTNERS Act so we were able to provide information and we hope that they will research and recognize the benefit this bill will provide, especially to our industry.”

Interested in participating in AWFS Public Policy efforts or joining us for the next fly-in? Contact AWFS Education Director Adria Salvatore today! adria@awfs.org; (323) 215-0311

AWFS Public Policy Committee Members with Rep. Greg Steube (R-FL-17)

AWFS Public Policy Committee Member John Henderson (center) with Nevada Senators Jacky Rosen (left) and Catherine Cortez-Masto (right)