| Offices : Beckley • Charleston • Fairmont • Martinsburg • Washington, DC | E-mail Senator Rockefeller |
April 26, 2001
ROCKEFELLER PUSHES FOR HIGH-TECH TRAINING LEGISLATION
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) took another step to increase the number of West Virginians trained for high-tech jobs by joining in support of the Technology Education and Training Act of 2001 (TETA). Rockefeller has been working for years to encourage partnerships between high-tech businesses, educators and working people in West Virginia.
TETA provides tax credits to help workers and trainees build their skills to compete for jobs in information technology. The bill will provide a tax credit that would equal 100 percent of the first $1,500 a business spends on training an individual worker. If the training program is offered by a business located in specifically designated areas, like existing empowerment zones, the credit will increase to $2000.
"I have worked with leaders in West Virginia to promote exactly the type of cross-pollination between academics and business people that this legislation will achieve. While debate shapes the merger between the new and old economy, the fact remains that we still have one economy in this country. That is why I work to equip West Virginians with more skills to compete in our global economy today, and for years to come," Rockefeller said.
"West Virginia has demonstrated that it can meet the shortfall of skilled workers for information technology jobs. We have a dedicated workforce ready to take advantage of opportunities like those provided in this legislation. And with the support of a bipartisan Congress, industry groups and high-tech business leaders, a better economic future for West Virginia is closer to reality." Rockefeller said.
The legislation would also permit individuals enrolled in non-degree IT training programs that lead to certification in advanced skills to be eligible for the Hope Scholarship and Lifetime Learning Credit. Currently the Lifetime Learning credit is available through programs at degree granting Title IV higher education or proprietary institutions.
The Department of Commerce and the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) reported in the late 90s and 2000 that there were more than 843,000 highly skilled positions in information technology that were vacant.
E-mail Senator Rockefeller | Click here for more contact information.