Owens Co-Sponsors Legislation to Boost Educational Opportunity

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Rep. Burgess Owens (UT-04), Chairman of the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee, co-sponsored the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act, which expands educational and credentialing opportunities for workers looking to gain skills in high-demand fields.

“For too long, students enrolled in skills-based programs have not been given access to the same opportunities as those pursuing four-year degrees,” said Rep. Owens. “The PELL Act will expand opportunities for students in rewarding careers and ensure our job market remains competitive in the global economy. I am proud to support this commonsense piece of legislation.”

The Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act: 

• Creates a Workforce Pell Grant to expand Pell Grant eligibility to high-quality, short-term programs so students can move into a job quickly;
• Avoids a complex system of red tape and instead provides clear requirements for programs focused on delivering skills-based education;
• Allows all education providers to participate as long as they meet certain requirements, including that students will be qualified to work following program completion;
• Ensures program prices are aligned with economic value so students and taxpayers receive a positive return on investment within three years or less; and,
• Requires the Department of Education to publish program costs and outcomes on the College Scorecard so students and families are aware of the high-quality education opportunities available to them.

The full text of the legislation is available here.

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