Daines’ Bill to Help Montanans Get Back to Work, Support Job Training Included in Phase Four COVID-19 Relief Package

U.S. SENATE – U.S. Senator Steve Daines announced today that his bill to help Montanans and Americans get back to work and prepare them for the post-COVID-19 economy, has been included in the Phase Four COVID-19 relief package. This follows Daines’ introduction of the bill, announced the “Workforce Recovery and Training Services Act,” last week.

“Montana has been hit very hard economically due to the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing over 100,000 Montanans to file for unemployment. That’s why I introduced this bill to help get Montanans back to work and ensure folks have the support and training they need to fill available jobs once the COVID-19 pandemic ends,” Daines said. “I will continue working to get this bill to support Montana jobs signed into law.” 

Since March 15th, 2020, 109,936 Montanans have applied for initial unemployment insurance claims. Daines is fighting to help support these Montanans with the resources they need to rejoin the workforce in the post COVID-19 economy.

Daines’ Workforce Recovery and Training Services Act:

  • Vastly expands the funds needed for individuals to acquire skills through individual training accounts by providing more flexibility for individuals to benefit from short-term, online training opportunities, particularly for in-demand fields such as technology;
  • Provides incentives for employers to hire and train new and current employees with in-demand skills; and
  • Helps local communities expand employment and re-employment services, including those that may be provided online in order to reach communities where in-person support may not be possible.  

There are 17 certified One Stop Job Service Systems in Montana that will aid in the deployment of these training services. For more information on the bill, click HERE. To read the full bill, click HERE.

Background:   

Daines has been leading the efforts in Congress to respond to the coronavirus outbreak impacting the country. To read about Daines’ COVID-19 related efforts, click HERE.  

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