Rebuilding America’s Middle Class (RAMC), a coalition of community colleges, issued the following statement in support of key components of the Biden Administration’s American Jobs Plan, including significant investments in the nation’s community colleges, broadband infrastructure, and child care facilities:

“Community colleges are instrumental to building a stronger talent pipeline and reviving our economy post-COVID. Our students have been some of the hardest hit by the pandemic, and we are pleased the Biden Administration has laid out a forward-thinking and uncompromising strategy that takes into consideration the real-world demands of today’s workforce, the tremendous potential of community colleges, and the diverse needs of current and prospective students.

“By investing in community college infrastructure, apprenticeship programs, and training for dislocated workers, we will have an opportunity to rapidly build and scale degree and credential pathways that can immediately lead to high-demand jobs in our communities nationwide. But it’s not just about having the resources to develop more programs, it’s also about enhancing the external supports that make it possible to pursue postsecondary education.

“The American Jobs Plan includes recommendations to dramatically expand access to high-speed broadband – absolutely essential to learning – and upgrade and expand child care facilities in high-need areas. Taken together, these proposals could throw open the doors of opportunity for millions of Americans who have the talent and potential to reinvigorate our workforce and kick our economy into high gear when we need it most. Without question, these are big ideas – but they are essential to our future. As representatives of the nation’s community colleges, we are excited to partner with the administration to bring these ideas into reality.”