Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act
Summary
The Digital Skills for Today's Workforce Act aims to amend the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act to establish a digital skills at work grant program. This program intends to promote digital equity by building digital skills for current and incoming workers in in-demand industries. It also seeks to foster digitally resilient individuals and education and workforce development systems. The bill authorizes appropriations for fiscal year 2026 and each of the four succeeding fiscal years to carry out the grant program.
Expected Effects
The Act would likely increase the availability of digital skills training programs across the country. States and eligible entities would receive grants to expand digital workplace skills for individuals seeking jobs and those with barriers to employment. This could lead to a more digitally literate workforce and improved job prospects for many Americans.
Potential Benefits
- Increased access to digital skills training for job seekers and current workers.
- Improved digital literacy among individuals with barriers to employment.
- Enhanced capacity within postsecondary education, adult education, and workforce development systems to deliver digital skills training.
- Fostering digitally resilient individuals who can adapt to changing digital skill demands.
- Potential for increased economic mobility and access to good jobs in in-demand industries.
Potential Disadvantages
- Potential for inefficient use of grant funds if programs are not effectively managed.
- Risk that training programs may not align with actual employer needs.
- Administrative overhead associated with managing the grant program and ensuring compliance.
- Possible disparities in access to training programs across different states and communities.
- The bill does not specify the amount of funds to be appropriated, creating uncertainty about the program's scale and impact.
Constitutional Alignment
The bill appears to align with the spirit of the Constitution's preamble, particularly the goals of promoting the general welfare and securing the blessings of liberty. Article I, Section 8, Clause 1 of the Constitution grants Congress the power to lay and collect taxes to provide for the general welfare of the United States. This bill falls under that purview as it aims to improve the workforce and economy through education and training programs funded by federal grants.
However, the Tenth Amendment reserves powers not delegated to the federal government to the states or the people. Some might argue that education and workforce development are traditionally state responsibilities, and this bill could be seen as an overreach of federal power. However, the federal government has long played a role in education and workforce development through various grant programs and initiatives.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).