WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) announced significant investments in job training and education programs in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (L-HHS) Appropriations bill that is expected to pass the Senate this week. Brown helped secure investments in programs that will increase funding for apprenticeship programs, veteran job training programs, and other programs to help Ohioans attain education and employment.

“These investments will help make sure Ohioans have the tools they need to land good-paying jobs that support their families,” said Brown.

Specifically, Brown helped secure: 

  • A $15 million increase for the Department of Labor’s (DOL) Apprenticeship grant programs to help support the expansion of apprenticeship programs across the state.
  • A $300 million investment for DOL’s Veterans’ Employment and Training Service (VETS) to help connect veterans and their families with career opportunities.
  • A $250 million increase in funding for the federal Head Start Program, which provides young children from low-income families with programming to prepare them for school.
  • A $100 increase in the maximum award for Pell Grants up to $6,195 per student.    

Brown has led efforts to support workforce training and education initiatives for Ohio.

Earlier this year, Brown and Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV) introduced bipartisan legislation to address the workforce shortage created by the addiction crisis. The Senators’ bill, the Collectively Achieving Recovery and Employment (CARE) Act, would combine existing grant programs at the Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to create a six-year pilot project to combine job training and addiction recovery services.

Brown also joined Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) to secure a version of their Better Access to Technical Training, Learning, and Entrepreneurship for Servicemembers Act (BATTLE for Servicemembers Act) in the final Nationa Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The provisions will better connect servicemembers with resources to secure quality education and good-paying jobs as they transition from military service to civilian life.

For the sixth straight year, Brown also partnered with Ohio businesses, educators, and community leaders to host summer manufacturing camps to help young Ohioans learn about manufacturing jobs available in Ohio. Brown’s office started organizing summer manufacturing camps in 2013, and since then, the number of camps throughout the state has grown every year. This year, Brown’s office helped organize 18 camps in 15 counties.

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