2011 Budget Updates:
After months of debate, discussions, hearings and continuing resolutions, the 2011 Federal budget was signed into law by President Obama on April 15th. HR 1473 (the final budget bill) did eliminate $38.5 billion from discretionary spending from the Administration's proposed 2011 budget from now until the end of the current budget year (September 2011). The final bill was far from the original bill passed in the House (HR 1), which would have cut $61 billion from the 2011 budget and would have zeroed out several major workforce programs.
Some of the cuts included: $182 million from the Workforce Investment Act programs (3 program cuts). The Career Pathways Innovation Fund ($125 million) was cut from the budget along with the Green Jobs Innovation Fund ($40 million). Plus several other workforce training programs from the Department of Labor and Department of Education were also cut.
Now that the 2011 budget has passed, this summer the discussions will center on the 2012 budget. The Obama administration had put out their proposed budget earlier this year, and the House has passed a "framework" for their 2012 budget. Since then, there has been a feeling of dealing with both the proposed 2010 budget deficit and the current national debt in this next budget, so we will have to see what happens to worker training programs. ASTD will continue to monitor events and keep the membership posted on activities in Congress this summer.
Workforce Investment Act Reauthorization:
ASTD is still continuing monitoring of the Workforce Investment Act reauthorization process. As of April, there are no updates to report; but ASTD will be reviewing the draft legislation from the Senate when it is available to the public for review and comment.
Public Policy Session at the International Conference in Orlando:
1. Successfully Engaging With the Publicly Funded Workforce System.
Session #SU205; Sunday, May 22, 1:45-3:00 p.m.
Federal, state, and local governments provide billions of dollars annually for job training and related services through the workforce investment system. Are you aware of the programs that are available? Many learning professionals can access a broad range of government resources and programs to support building their organization's skilled workforce.
2. Public Funding for Training: Are You Getting Your Fair Share?
Session #M205; Monday, May 23, 2:15-3:30 p.m.
Many states have programs to reimburse organizations for workforce training, with estimates suggesting that states invest as much as $500 million to subsidize training programs. In addition to state funding, there are training programs at the federal and local levels for which your organization may qualify, as well as tax incentives for training.
3. Show Me the Money: Building Your Plan to Apply for Training Incentives
Session #W205; Wednesday, May 25, 10:30-11:45 a.m.
This group of experts will provide the inside scoop about how they engage in the public workforce system and secure financial incentives for training. They will share tips about finding organizations with which to partner, and will help attendees build a step-by-step action plan to help them apply for and secure training funding.
Congressional Conversations 3.0!
Join ASTD on Capitol Hill as part of the Chapter Leaders Conference. ASTD will again this year help coordinate a day on the Hill for Chapter Leaders to meet with members of Congress and their staffs to discuss worker training legislation. Join us Thursday October 13, 2011! More information to come so stay tuned!
