Plumbing Manufacturers International Joins Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition

Plumbing Manufacturers International has joined Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition to advocate for economic development policy that aims to strengthen America’s workforce. The coalition, established by the American Society of Association Executives and the Professional Certification Coalition, has the goal of seeing the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act signed into law.

The proposed legislation would empower workers of any educational background, skill level or age and would benefit not only the plumbing manufacturing industry, but all industries and professions that rely on employees with specialized training or recognized credentials.

The proposed legislation would allow Americans to use 529 education savings accounts for skills training, credentialing, and certification programs. In addition, the bill would allow students to use their 529 funds to pay for associated costs related to certification exams and maintenance of certification credentials, allowing lifelong students to upskill and reskill throughout their careers. These programs could encourage more people to enter the plumbing fixtures and fittings manufacturing industries, as well as other skills-based careers such as plumbing.

Currently, 529 plans can only be used for college, graduate or professional degrees; education programs from Title IV-accredited institutions; registered apprenticeships; and certain K-12 tuition and student loan repayments. Under the current regulations, 529 plan beneficiaries cannot use funds to obtain or maintain recognized postsecondary credentials, including professional certifications, licenses and other valuable training or credentials.

The bill addresses credentialing for middle-skill jobs, which require more than a high school education but not a bachelor’s degree; these jobs comprise a large component of America’s labor market. The bill would complement a skills-based hiring approach by shifting the paradigm for 529 plans from college savings plans to career savings plans. By providing pathways to fill the estimated 693,000 job openings in the manufacturing sector, the bill would enable manufacturers to satisfy their demand for skilled labor. The bill will also broaden learning opportunities for the estimated 48,600 new jobs each year for plumbers, the primary workforce for installation of plumbing fixtures and fittings.