Jobs and Workforce Development
"I am proud of the work my office is doing to address the challenges posed by systemic unemployment in the 7th Congressional District. Through our Project R.E.A.D.Y workshops and annual Job Fair, we are working to make sure that all in the 7th District have access to meaningful career development."
- Congresswoman Terri A. Sewell
Job creation remains my top priority. My office is committed to addressing the issues that cause systemic unemployment in our district. We launched a new job readiness initiative in 2013 called Project R.E.A.D.Y — Realizing Everyone’s Ability to Develop Yourself. We believe we must provide our constituents with the information and tools they need to be successful in the job market. By partnering with career professionals and educational institutions in the district, we hosted five (5) Project R.E.A.D.Y workshops in 2013 attracting over 525 constituents and offering practical guidance about how to succeed in the workforce. We look forward to expanding our Project R.E.A.D.Y initiative. In order to be competitive in the 21st century, we must invest in our greatest resource — our people.
We continue to promote employment opportunities in our district by hosting our annual Job Fair. In August 2013, we hosted our 2nd Annual Job Fair in the heart of the Black Belt at Wallace Community College in Selma. The job fair attracted more than 2,000 jobseekers and 50 employers. We have received numerous testimonials from constituents who were helped by the opportunity to connect with local employers. Our office remains committed to implementing common sense solutions to address the challenges posed by systemic unemployment. We look forward to hosting our 3rd Annual Job Fair in 2014.
We will continue to do our part by creating opportunities for our constituents to connect with employers and to get training and the skills they need to succeed.
More on Jobs and Workforce Development
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced the inclusion of funding for seven member designated projects in Alabama’s 7th District in the INVEST in America Act which passed in the House of Representatives on Thursday in a vote of 221 to 201. This $715 billion surface transportation reauthorization and water infrastructure bill would create good-paying jobs to rebuild and reimagine America’s surface transportation infrastructure, with investments in roads, bridges, transit, rail, drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. Rep.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced that her bill, H.R. 3745, the Decentralized Wastewater Grant Act, was included in House Democrats’ INVEST in America Act which passed in the House of Representatives on Thursday. The bill would establish a grant program under the Clean Water Act, administered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), to help low and moderate income households connect their homes to existing wastewater infrastructure or install or upgrade individually owned decentralized wastewater systems.
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced over $7 million in federal funding for Head Start programs serving Alabama’s 7th Congressional District. This funding will allow Head Start programs to continue preparing Alabama children for success and will grow our economy by helping caregivers get back to work knowing their children are safe and cared for.
Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell applauded the passage of H.R. 2062, the Protecting Older Workers Against Discrimination Act (POWADA). This legislation would restore legal protections for older workers and empower them to hold employers accountable for age discrimination after the Supreme Court undermined protections for older workers in its 2009 decision in Gross v. FBL Financial Services, Inc.
Washington, D.C. – Today, Reps. Terri Sewell (AL-07) and Darin LaHood (IL-18) introduced bipartisan legislation to boost post-graduation scholarships and strengthen workforce recruitment in rural America. The Workforce Development Through Post-Graduation Scholarships Act of 2021 would amend the Internal Revenue Service Code to exclude certain post-graduation scholarship grants from being treated as gross income which will alleviate student loan debt, help businesses attract and recruit talent, and boost economic growth in local communities.
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced her introduction of H.R. 2944, the Reducing the Maximum Service Requirement for Long-term Part-time Workers to Make Elective Deferrals to 401(k) Plans Act. The bill would allow for part-time employees to begin saving for retirement sooner by reducing the number of years of service required to make retirement contributions. H.R.
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) announced over $732 million in additional federal funding to the State of Alabama through the American Rescue Plan. This funding will help child care providers open safely, keep workers on the payroll and lower child care costs for hardworking families.
Washington, D.C. - Today, U.S. Rep Terri Sewell (AL-07) voted to pass the Paycheck Fairness Act, landmark legislation to close loopholes and strengthen the 1963 Equal Pay Act, including providing effective remedies for women who are not being paid equally for equal work.
Birmingham, AL - Today, Rep. Terri Sewell (AL-07) welcomed First Lady of the United States Dr. Jill Biden to Birmingham to highlight the historic reduction in child poverty that will be achieved thanks to the American Rescue Plan. Rep. Sewell played a critical role in drafting the expansions of the Child Tax Credit and the Earned Income Tax Credit in the American Rescue Plan, which are projected to cut child poverty in the United States by more than a half.