Bill Overview
Title: Validate Prior Learning to Accelerate Employment Act
Description: This bill incorporates assessments that measure an individual's prior knowledge, skills, competencies, and experiences into specified state and local employment training activities under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
Sponsors: Rep. Stefanik, Elise M. [R-NY-21]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals engaged in employment training programs or seeking job transition services
Estimated Size: 20000000
- The bill targets individuals who are part of employment training activities under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.
- These individuals are often transitioning between jobs or seeking to improve their employment prospects.
- The workforce training programs engage adults, including those who are unemployed or underemployed.
- According to statistics from the US Department of Labor, millions of people enroll in workforce programs annually in the United States.
- Globally, there are many countries with similar programs aimed at integrating underemployed and unemployed individuals into the workforce.
Reasoning
- The policy specifically targets individuals involved in employment training programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, many of whom are seeking to improve their job skills or transition to better employment. This demographic includes a wide range of people, from young adults just starting their careers to older workers looking to re-enter the workforce or change fields.
- Given the budget constraints, not every participant in these programs can be directly impacted in the first year, but those who receive help could see significant improvements in their employment prospects and, consequently, their wellbeing.
- The budget and scale of the policy suggest it may not reach every participant, but those it does impact may experience substantial benefits. Those benefits may not be completely captured in wellbeing scores immediately but could show steady improvement over time as employment stability and satisfaction with career growth increase.
Simulated Interviews
Unemployed, seeking job in healthcare administration (Des Moines, IA)
Age: 33 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy could help me showcase my skills better to potential employers.
- I'm hopeful it would shorten my time to secure a job in my desired field.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Retail worker, seeking logistics position (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm open to any policy that can leverage my previous work experience towards new opportunities.
- This could be the push I need to move into a new career path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Factory worker, looking for supervisory roles (Pittsburgh, PA)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been in the workforce a long time and any advantage in assessments can help as I try to move up.
- I've seen similar initiatives before, sometimes they overpromise solutions.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Freelance graphic designer, seeking full-time employment (Austin, TX)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It sounds like a great opportunity to validate my self-taught skills formally.
- I'm skeptical whether it will reach freelancers like me, though.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Retired school teacher, considering consultancy (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Even though I'm retired, I think this could help me validate my past skills if I decide to consult.
- I wonder if this policy is more geared toward younger people.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Current university student, seeking entry-level position in software development (Boston, MA)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 6.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It might be beneficial to have assessments that acknowledge university and internship experiences.
- I think this could open doors to bigger tech firms.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Construction worker, interested in electrical engineering (Charlotte, NC)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition of my prior learning could help me fast track my shift into engineering.
- I am cautiously optimistic but wary of bureaucratic delays.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Small business owner, re-entering corporate workforce (Miami, FL)
Age: 47 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm curious to see how this policy will evaluate my entrepreneurial experience.
- Hopefully, it validates skills that aren’t just typical corporate roles.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Recently laid off IT specialist, looking for a new tech role (Seattle, WA)
Age: 30 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having my expertise recognized quickly could shorten my job search considerably.
- It sounds promising but I'm worried about the implementation timeline.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 8 |
Marketing coordinator, aspiring for executive position (Denver, CO)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An efficient assessment system can showcase my qualifications for leadership roles.
- Happy to see support for skills and competencies recognition.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $100000000, High: $200000000)
Year 2: $130000000 (Low: $90000000, High: $180000000)
Year 3: $110000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $150000000)
Year 5: $100000000 (Low: $70000000, High: $130000000)
Year 10: $70000000 (Low: $50000000, High: $90000000)
Year 100: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Key Considerations
- Integration of assessments into existing programs will require coordination and collaboration at multiple government levels.
- The bill's success depends on the effectiveness and accuracy of the assessments in measuring prior learning.
- Ongoing evaluation will be necessary to ensure assessments are up to date with changing job market requirements.
- Potential pushback from training providers over changes in program structures and funding distribution.