Allred Talks Education and Job Training in District Workforce Roundtable

Rep. Colin Allred, D-Texas, met with North Texas business, education and labor leaders this week to discuss ways to expand job training opportunities for students, retain talent in the area and ensure higher education is both accessible and affordable for the region’s young people.

“Our region is growing exponentially and we must ensure that every North Texan has access to the education and training they need to get a good job and succeed,” Allred said.

“We need to work with our community colleges, universities, businesses and labor unions to make sure everyone has a chance to pursue their version of the American Dream, and we must ensure that we are training and educating the next generation of workers so North Texas can continue to be one of the most competitive economic regions in the nation,” he added.

Participants in the roundtable, which was held in Garland, Texas, included officials from the Garland Independent School District, Dallas County Community College District, American Airlines, Texas Instruments, Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, Parkland Hospital, Garland Chamber of Commerce, R&B Roofing and the Southwest Pipe Trades Association.

Allred, a Democrat representing the once-Republican 32nd congressional district, drew praise from the attendees for his commitment to bipartisanship and his passion for finding common sense solutions to the challenges confronting local communities.

Among other things, Allred was a co-sponsor of the Jumpstart Our Businesses by Supporting Students Act which will expand Pell Grant eligibility to qualifying short-term training programs to help more Americans gain access to industry-recognized credentials.

Allred is unopposed in the Democratic primary for his seat. Early voting for the GOP primary in his district begins next Tuesday. Dallas businesswoman Genevieve Collins and retired Navy Seal Floyd McLendon Jr. are leading a primary field of Republicans seeking to retake the seat for the GOP.