Congressmen Evans, Edwards Introduce Bill to Build Out National Skills-Training System

The LEON Act, supported by OIC of America, is designed to build pathways out of poverty and solve our long-term labor shortage.

WASHINGTON, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This week, Congressman Dwight Evans (D-PA-3rd) and Congressman Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11th) introduced the Leveraging Educational Opportunity Networks (LEON) Act to build pathways out of poverty and solve our structural, long-term labor shortage. Under the bill, the U.S. Department of Labor would provide competitive grants to organizations that partner with local employers to provide no-cost professional certification training to workers for living-wage jobs in construction, disaster recovery, manufacturing and more.

"Too many families — in Pennsylvania's 3rd District and across the country — have been shut out from employment opportunities that offer them a pathway to the middle class," said Congressman Evans. "The LEON Act would help build a national career technical education system that would break down barriers and prepare low-income people with the skills that employers need."

"Western North Carolina is still recovering from the devastating effects of Hurricane Helene last fall, and recovery is going to take years. This is in part because we have a shortage of qualified construction workers to help us rebuild," said Congressman Edwards. "The LEON Act would enable us to quickly train the workers we need to help us build stronger, more resilient communities and economies."

The bill — which would authorize grants to accredited, not-for-profit, post-secondary educational institutions providing training at no out-of-pocket cost to students — is named for civil rights leader Rev. Dr. Leon H. Sullivan, who in 1964 founded the worldwide network of skills-training organizations Opportunities Industrialization Centers (OIC).

"The LEON Act is an opportunity to future-proof tomorrow's workforce by preparing adults for jobs that provide a pathway to the middle class," said Louis J. King II, OIC of America's president and CEO. "With no-cost training, we can transform lives, stabilize and strengthen communities, and address our national labor shortage. In doing so, we create a stronger America."

Read the bill here.

About OIC of America
OIC of America is a national nonprofit with more than 60 years' experience building economic power for people. Strategically located in the hearts of forgotten places, OICA transforms the lives of individuals and strengthens communities through meaningful participation in today's economy. OICA's 40+ affiliates and partners support communities in more than 20 states throughout the nation. oicofamerica.org

SOURCE OIC of America