HARDI Joins Industry Coalition Urging Passage of Employer-Directed Skills Act

HARDI recently joined a coalition of HVACR and water heating industry organizations in signing a letter to congressional leadership supporting the Employer-Directed Skills Act (H.R. 4049 / S. 3846) and its inclusion in the reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).

The letter, led by ACCA and PHCC and submitted under the HVACR Alliance, reflects a coordinated push from across the industry to advance policies that better support how our members hire and train their workforce.

Workforce challenges remain a top concern for HARDI members. Ongoing labor shortages continue to impact hiring, operations, and overall supply chain performance. This legislation directly addresses those challenges by giving employers more flexibility and a stronger role in workforce development.

Specifically, the Employer-Directed Skills Act would:

• Allow employers to assess and select trainees based on their specific business needs

• Provide partial reimbursement for employer-led training programs

• Establish accountability measures to ensure training quality

• Strengthen connections between employers and workforce development systems

A key provision allows employers to conduct their own skills assessment, ensuring that candidates are evaluated based on the competencies that matter most on the job rather than relying solely on third-party determinations.

Building on Prior Bipartisan Efforts

This proposal was created on existing bipartisan momentum, with similar language having passed the House as part of WIOA reauthorization last Congress. HARDI and its partners are working to ensure these provisions remain part of any final workforce package considered in the 119th Congress.

In addition to supporting this legislation, the coalition is continuing to push for a broader WIOA reauthorization that reflects current workforce realities and strengthens the pipeline into the skilled trades.

The full text of the letter can be found here.

Questions?

If you have questions, please reach out to Alex Ayers.

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