CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Senator Ted Budd was in Uptown Monday to speak with the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance and local leaders about efforts in Washington to support workforce development.
During his visit, Budd highlighted how federal legislation in this area could impact the Charlotte region.
"The narrative that's been going on for many, many decades, probably post World War II, up until recently, is you have you have a four-year degree to succeed in this country," Budd said. "It is not true."
The senator said skills-based training and trade schools are vital for that mission.
"We're probably on the front end of the blue-collar revival," Budd added. "So, whatever it takes to support that, and whether that's a rural area, like where I live in Davie County or more urban areas, like Mecklenburg, it has to be skills-based training. "
Budd voiced support for the Pell Act, which would expand federal Pell grants to short-term workforce programs. The bipartisan bill aims to help more people pay for skills-based training.
"We have international businesses here, local businesses, all who are looking for people to work," Mayor Vi Lyles told reporters after the event. "I believe a lot of people want to come to work, we just have to help them get to that place."
Lyles argued that supporting the local workforce should also mean supporting Charlotte’s strategic mobility plan.
"People know that there are opportunities for us to be a better city because we have better mass transit," Lyles said. "It's necessary to be able to move a city around, to be able to get people to work in a reasonable amount of time."
The $13.5 billion transportation plan relies on a one-cent sales tax referendum, which first requires approval from the North Carolina General Assembly.
Contact Julia Kauffman at jkauffman@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.