Pam Lendzion, executive director for the American Boat Builders and Repairers Association, joined nine other small and medium-sized employers in a series of meetings with senior level officials at the White House, Department of Labor, and Department of Commerce.
The intention of the meetings was to elevate the voice of small and mid-sized businesses in the current federal dialogue on apprenticeship and work-based learning. Attendees also talked through how education can better keep pace with the needs of business through the modernization of student financial aid.
Lendzion met with officials working to carry out provisions of President Trump’s executive order focused on expanding apprenticeships in America.
The Jobs Act extended Pell Grant eligibility to students enrolled in job training programs that lead to industry-based credentials and ultimately employment in high demand jobs.
Many community and technical colleges offer short term programs that provide training to get students the skills they need to fill open positions, but don’t require enough hours to be eligible for Pell Grants.
Without financial aid, some students can’t afford the training to get the skills they need and employer jobs continue to go unfilled.
