WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Rep. Blake Moore (R-UT) has proposed legislation to transform America’s outdated workforce system by establishing state-led talent marketplaces.

Co-sponsored by U.S. Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), the Modernizing Access to Talents, Credentials and Hiring (MATCH) Act was introduced into the 119th Congress on April 9. 

The proposed legislation would connect workers to jobs and training based on their verified skills and credentials rather than only what is listed on their resume.

“America’s outdated workforce system relies on degrees and resumes,” according to Moore, “that often fail to capture a worker’s actual skills and experience. The MATCH Act supports state-led talent marketplaces and portable learning records.”

Owens recalls that American’s promise has always been that, if children are educated and work hard, they will be able to finding meaningful employment and a better life than their parents.

“The MATCH Act helps restore that promise and modernize our workforce,” he explains, “by connecting real talent to real opportunity. 

“No one is reduced to a line on a résumé,” Owens adds. “Every achievement is seen, valued and ready to open doors of opportunity.” 

By 2030, the U.S. economy will need an additional 140,000 skilled workers, including electricians, heating and air conditioning technicians, pipefitters, heavy equipment operators, welders and construction workers, according to a recent estimate by the Center for Strategic & International Studies.

But workforce analysts say that employers often struggle to find qualified candidates for employment, while job seekers face challenges in effectively demonstrating their abilities.

Specifically, the MATCH Act would authorize states the develop talent marketplaces on digital platforms that will match workers to jobs and training based on verified skills, credentials and experience.

Those platforms would include credentialing registries to clearly define what degrees, certificates and training programs represent in terms of skills and competencies, allowing workers to carry their verified talents across jobs, programs and state lines.

The proposed legislation would also establish Workforce Data Quality Initiative grant programs to fund the creation of state talent marketplaces that are accessible and searchable for workers and employers while being interoperable across state lines.

“Allowing these verified credentials will increase opportunities for workers and employers,” Moore explains. “We should strive to match talent to jobs based on proven competencies rather than just paperwork.

“This bill helps us get there.”

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