Sen. Jim Webb Introduces Adult Education Act of 2009
July 20, 2009
July 16- WEBB INTRODUCES ADULT EDUCATION
AND ECONOMIC GROWTH ACT OF 2009
LEGISLATION TO STRENGTHEN ADULT EDUCATION, WORKFORCE
On Thursday, July 16, 2009, Senator Jim Webb (D-VA) introduced the "Adult Education and Economic Growth Act of 2009," which will reform and increase investment in job training, adult education and other programs needed to build a 21st century workforce.
According to the National Commission on Adult Literacy, 80-90 million U.S. adults today--about half of the adult workforce--do not have the basic education and communications skills required to obtain jobs that pay a family-sustaining wage. However, federal funding for adult education has declined in real terms since 2002, and the nation's primary federal resource for adult education, job training and employment services--the Workforce Investment Act--has not been reauthorized for over ten years.
"The American workplace has seen many changes over the past ten years, and the need for well-trained and highly skilled workers has increased dramatically. At the same time, our adult education system has not kept pace with this changing workforce," said Webb. "One of the biggest impacts we can have on our economic future is to ensure that as many workers as possible are able to improve the skills and credentials needed to compete in our global economy."
