Bill Overview
Title: Small Business Workforce Pipeline Act of 2022
Description: This bill adds work-based learning and apprenticeship program assistance to the list of services that must be provided by small business development centers administered by the Small Business Administration.
Sponsors: Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals employed by or seeking employment with small businesses
Estimated Size: 60000000
- The bill affects small business development centers (SBDCs), which provide support and training for small businesses.
- By including work-based learning and apprenticeship programs, the bill indirectly impacts employees and potential employees of small businesses.
- In 2020, there were approximately 31.7 million small businesses in the United States.
- Small businesses employ about 47.1% of private-sector employees in the U.S.
- The apprenticeship model facilitates on-the-job training, which could affect those entering the workforce or transitioning careers.
Reasoning
- The policy targets small businesses, which are diverse across various sectors and locations.
- The population affected includes business owners, current employees, and those seeking employment with small businesses.
- We need to account for different occupations within small businesses, as some may benefit more from apprenticeships and work-based learning.
- The budget indicates limited direct intervention for each small business, so the policy's impact will likely be uneven.
- Interviews should include both those who directly engage with SBDCs and indirect beneficiaries like employees of businesses who benefit from SBDC services.
- Considering the large number of small businesses, not all will have the capacity or interest in implementing these programs, limiting broad impact.
- Some industries may be more prone to benefitting from this policy due to their nature of work, e.g., trades, manufacturing.
Simulated Interviews
Owner of a small tech startup (Austin, Texas)
Age: 45 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I think apprenticeship programs could really help bring in fresh talent.
- It's hard to compete with tech giants for experienced workers, so training newcomers could be beneficial.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Electrician (Seattle, Washington)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The apprenticeship was crucial for me to get practical skills.
- If small businesses could offer more of these, it would open up more jobs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Owner of a small manufacturing business (Rural Pennsylvania)
Age: 42 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's tough to find skilled labor in rural areas.
- Support from SBDCs would be essential for sustaining my business.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 3 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 3 |
College graduate seeking employment (Miami, Florida)
Age: 23 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm looking for hands-on experience, which is not easy to find at entry-level positions.
- Programs that offer on-the-job training will increase my chances to find work.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Head of HR in a medium-sized business (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- SBDCs expanding their services is beneficial, especially for startups.
- It could foster a more skilled workforce, benefiting all businesses in the ecosystem.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Freelance graphic designer looking to join a company (San Francisco, California)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 4.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Finding long-term projects is challenging as a freelancer.
- Programs encouraging small business hiring could provide new opportunities.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired teacher volunteering with local non-profits (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 60 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The more we invest in the young workforce, the better for everyone.
- Apprenticeship programs should be more available to help bridge skills gaps.
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 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Receptionist at a small law firm (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 27 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 2.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- If apprenticeships could help with the costs of education to become a paralegal, that could be very helpful.
- Right now, it feels like climbing a big ladder without much support.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 5 | 4 |
Automotive technician (Detroit, Michigan)
Age: 58 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 7.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Job training programs can help ensure job security and improve skills.
- Work-based learning might allow me to upgrade my skills without excessive costs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Chef at a small restaurant (New York, New York)
Age: 31 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 3.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Cooking is ever-changing, and learning new skills is essential.
- If the restaurant can offer apprenticeships, it would help us stay competitive.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $50000000 (Low: $30000000, High: $70000000)
Year 2: $51000000 (Low: $30800000, High: $71400000)
Year 3: $52020000 (Low: $31416000, High: $72828000)
Year 5: $54165200 (Low: $32716400, High: $75778300)
Year 10: $59525000 (Low: $33939600, High: $74938700)
Year 100: $100000000 (Low: $80000000, High: $125000000)
Key Considerations
- The effectiveness of the apprenticeship model in different industries and its scalability for small businesses.
- The readiness of SBDCs to adopt new training models quickly and effectively.
- Potential barriers to small business participation, such as costs, administrative burden, and the ability to provide adequate mentorship.