Dear Chairs Foxx and Comer,
On behalf of National Taxpayers Union (NTU), the nation’s oldest taxpayer advocacy organization, I write to express our support for the Chance to Compete Act of 2023 (H.R. 159).
This legislation will have a meaningful impact on the competitiveness of the federal government’s workforce while giving thousands of Americans a chance to utilize their knowledge, skills, and abilities gained from real world experience to better serve millions of taxpayers and constituents alike.
By allowing government agencies to determine the qualifications for candidates on a case by case basis, and freeing agencies to organize assessments that will drill down on their specific needs for successful candidates, the federal government will be able to better adjust to the ever changing American workforce and best position itself to compete for talent with the private sector.
According to a report by Opportunity@Work there are over 70 million workers in the U.S. today who obtain skills through years of experience, on the job training, military service, boot camps, certification programs, and workforce training programs rather than through a four-year college degree who are currently being screened out from in-demand jobs. If enacted, the Chance to Compete Act would send a clear message to millions of Americans that the federal government values their knowledge, skills and abilities gained through experience, which could enable thousands more in the workforce to reach their full potential and serve their fellow Americans.
Sincerely,
Alex Milliken
Government Affairs Manager