The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the Senate section on pages S2328 on April 9, 2014.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS
By Mr. BOOKER (for himself and Mr. Scott):
S. 2234. A bill to amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow employers a credit against income tax for employees who participate in qualified apprenticeship programs; to the Committee on Finance.
Mr. BOOKER. Mr. President, I rise today to introduce with my colleague, Senator Tim Scott of South Carolina, the Leveraging and Energizing America's Apprenticeship Programs or LEAP Act, which provides a tax credit to employers to help increase the number of registered apprenticeships in the U.S. and put more young Americans to work.
Today, there are still more than 10 million unemployed Americans, and our young people continue to be especially hard hit. Nearly six years after the start of the Great Recession, 16 percent of 16 to 24 year olds are without a job. The numbers are far worse among youth of color and for those without college degrees.
Yet 4 million jobs remain unfilled in the U.S., and part of the reason is that key gaps persist between the skills of young adults and workforce needs. By 2020, the United States is expected to experience a shortage of 3 million workers with associate's degrees or higher and 5 million workers with technical certificates and credentials.
Apprenticeships are a proven way to help young people develop in-
demand skills and to meet the needs of employers, yet they comprise just 0.2 percent of the U.S. workforce.
While competitor nations around the world are investing in robust apprenticeship programs, the U.S., by contrast, had just 358,000 active, registered apprenticeships in 2012. That is 7 percent of what England offered when adjusted for population. In Germany, nearly half of all young people go through apprenticeship programs.
We can't let America continue to lag behind. That's why Senator Scott and I are introducing the LEAP Act, an initiative that provides a paid-
for Federal tax credit to businesses to develop apprenticeship programs that are registered with the Department of Labor or a state apprenticeship agency. The bill addresses the fact that the average age of apprentices is currently as high as 29 years, by offering a tax credit of $1,500 for apprentices under the age of 25. The tax credit for apprentices 25 or over is $1,000. The cost of the tax credits are offset by a provision that cuts printing waste by barring the Federal Government from producing publications that are available online, unless the printing is for seniors, Medicare recipients or communities with limited Internet access.
A thriving apprenticeship system should be an essential element of an effective workforce development strategy; registered apprenticeship programs help individuals attain a recognized post-secondary credential and provide workers with the education and on-the-job training needed to succeed.
Studies show that apprenticeships are a wise investment for both participants and the U.S. government: individuals who complete registered apprenticeship programs earn over $240,000 more over their careers than people who did not participate in such programs, and the tax return on every Federal Government dollar invested in registered apprenticeship programs is $27.
Our future competitiveness--our economic strength as a nation--
depends on the innovation and skill of our workforce. I am proud to join with Senator Scott in putting forward this bipartisan legislation that will create opportunities for more Americans to learn the in-
demand skills that will help meet employers' needs and fuel our economy. I look forward to working with my colleagues to build support for and pass this bill.
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