Closing The Skills Gap With Career And Technical Education
In Ohio, there are only 62 available workers for every 100 open jobs. In the last two years, I’ve had the chance to meet with business leaders and workers across my district. Many of them tell me they can’t find workers to fill jobs in the skilled trades—and similarly, workers don’t have the preparation they need to fill those jobs. This disconnect between the skills businesses need and the training and knowledge candidates possess is known as the “skills gap.” And it’s wider than ever.
Businesses across Americaneedmore employees with technical expertise to fill high-paying, in-demand jobs. Our country needs more electricians, plumbers, carpenters, elevator technicians, welders, high-tech factory workers, and so many more. The construction industry alone faces a labor shortage of over half a million workers.
Building America’s workforce is crucial to the continued success of our nation’s industries and our workers’ prosperity. In today's world, it's clear that the government's hefty investment in higher education hasn't quite set up our next generation—or our businesses—for success, leaving behind those who do not go to college and hanging our businesses out to dry. It's time we fix this.
Earlier this year, I introduced the American Workforce Act, a bill that improves the way we prepare our young people—and some not-so-young people—for the workforce. The legislation provides businesses with a workforce training voucher to help put high school graduates through workforce training programs that are designed by employers and taught by validated trade associations, community colleges, high schools, non-profits, or labor unions.
The goal here is two-fold: give a fair shake to those who have been overlooked and give our businesses what they need to thrive. Collaboration between educators and industry professionals ensures that our students and workers have the practical expertise to excel.
While many factors contribute to the skills gap in America, our educational approach has focused almost exclusively on higher education rather than providing students the practical skills required to productively contribute to our society without attending college. In a situation where 21% of borrowers see their total student loan balance increase within 5 years of graduating, an affordable technical education is a great idea. Training in the skilled trades equips students for in-demand jobs without big loans.This legislation will invest in our nation's future to keep the United States at the forefront of innovation, productivity, and prosperity.
In Congress, I am urging my colleagues to come together and address the skills gap. We cannot afford to wait. A strong workforce makes strong businesses, strong businesses make strong communities, and strong communities make a more prosperous United States of America.
Max Miller
Congressman Max Miller is serving in his first term as the United States Representative for Ohio’s Seventh Congressional District.
Growing up in Northeast Ohio, Miller learned the value of hard work and the importance of the trades. The Congressman is committed to building up the next generation of Americans by prioritizing career and technical education programs as an alternative to a traditional 4-year degree.
Miller was elected by his fellow freshman Republican members to serve on the Steering Committee, which assigns committee membership for members of the Republican conference.
Miller sits on the House Committee on Science, Space & Technology. He serves as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Environment. He also serves on the Subcommittee on Energy and the Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight. The Congressman is committed to supporting the NASA Glenn Research Center and ensuring Americans continue to benefit from cutting-edge scientific and technological advancements.
Miller also serves on the House Agriculture Committee. He sits on the Subcommittee on Nutrition, Foreign Agriculture, and Horticulture and the Subcommittee on Commodity Markets, Digital Assets, and Rural Development. Along with his agriculture advisory council, Miller works to put forward common-sense policies that are good for our agribusiness industry and consumers.
As one of only two Jewish Republicans in Congress, Congressman Miller is a loud voice in calling out antisemitism and hate on college campuses and across the country.
Miller served as a senior advisor to President Donald Trump and spent six years in the Marine Corps Reserves. He, his wife Emily, and their baby daughter Ruth live in Rocky River.