Speaking before a crowd of textile factory workers in Penndel, Republican Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick (PA-8) announced the Skills Gap Strategy Act on Friday.
He spoke of the importance that skilled workers will have in the economic future of our country.
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If passed, the Skills Gap Strategy Act would have the U.S. Department of Labor develop a national job training plan. The plan would lay out recommendations to add training and educational opportunities to expand the nation’s skilled labor force.
The recommendations would then be used to fill the “skills gap,” the congressman said.
Fitzpatrick said about 4 million jobs in America sit unfilled because workers with the right skills can not be found. He said the unfilled jobs are “good paying.”
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“I’m constantly hearing about the need for trained, high-skilled workers,” Fitzpatrick said, citing business visits and a manufacturer’s survey sent out to area businesses.
Despite a decreased unemployment number released last week, Fitzpatrick said the economy still faces “challenges” and finding skilled labor is one of them.
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The congressman announced the proposed act inside the Langhorne Carpet Company building with the carpet manufacturer’s skilled workforce watching.
Bill Morrow, who is president and co-owner of the company, said his manufacturing business competes with similar companies in China and looks for skilled workers.
Winnifred K. Morrow, co-owner of the historic carpet company, said the business is currently looking to hire about nine skilled workers. Training to operate the massive looms in the facility can take months, she said.
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Fitzpatrick introduced the Skills Gap Strategy Act along with Berks County Congressman Matt Cartwright (D-17.) Identical legislation has also been introduced in the senate.
Fitzpatrick’s office heard from about 200 area manufacturing companies for their survey and over 70 percent said it is hard to find employees with the right skills. About 60 percent said they were intending in the next 6 months.
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Employees at the carpet company showed the congressman how to operate the looms.
