Reps Krishnamoorthi, Meuser Introduce Bipartisan “Partnerships for American Jobs Act”

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL-08) and Congressman Dan Meuser (R-PA-09) introduced bipartisan legislation yesterday, the Partnerships for American Jobs Act, which would create a new Department of Education grant program to support local public media working to prepare young people for the jobs of the future. This legislation builds on programs such as the ‘American Graduate' program administered by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting that provides high-quality educational content and helps expand exposure to career pathways for young Americans across the country.

"For more than 50 years, public media organizations have served as trusted partners and civic leaders in our local communities," said Congressman Krishnamoorthi. "At the same time, we currently have a skills gap equaling over 7 million, where employers can't find adequately trained employees for good-paying, in-demand jobs. Simply put, this bipartisan legislation leverages the power of public media to expose and prepare Americans for these jobs while simultaneously strengthening local economies. I sincerely appreciate Rep. Meuser's leadership in co-leading this bill and want to also thank America's Public Television Stations for their support."

"Since coming to Congress, economic revitalization has been a top priority of mine," said Congressman Dan Meuser. "Closing the skills gap by helping my constituents get the training they need to fill jobs in our communities is key to reviving the economy of Pennsylvania's Ninth District. The Partnerships for American Jobs Act utilizes public media stations, which reach 99% of the American population, to promote available skills training programs and job opportunities in our communities. Harnessing the power of public media is an innovative, effective way to connect job-seekers, small businesses, and career technical institutions to address workforce development needs across the nation."

"America's Public Television Stations are most grateful to Congressman Krishnamoorthi and Congressman Meuser for introducing the Partnership for American Jobs Act", said Patrick Butler, CEO of America's Public Television Stations (APTS). "The Partnership for American Jobs Act will match the powerful educational resources of public media with the enormous challenge of creating a more competitive American workforce to succeed in the global economy."

The Partnership for American Jobs Act would establish a new grant program at the U.S. Department of Education to promote the creation of television, radio, and digital content exposing young Americans to educational and workforce opportunities deemed in-demand by a diverse coalition of state and local partners. Importantly, the initiative aims to end the stigma associated with many in-demand occupations that lead to a successful, family-sustaining career.