The day after Donald Trump announced he was running for president, Hillary Clinton came out with an “apprentice” program of her own.
Clinton announced her proposed federal program to combat youth unemployment at Trident Technical College in South Carolina on Wednesday. Campaign aides have said that during the early stages of the primary season she will introduce one new piece of legislation per week.
The plan for apprenticeships and job training would offer business a $1,500 credit for each apprentice hired, and the federal government would have regulations to make sure standards were met. All apprenticeships would be federally registered.
In 2014, Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., and Sen. Cory Booker, D-N.J., introduced legislation creating apprenticeships to help tackle skills gaps and address youth unemployment. The program passed that June, allowing students to attend school and earn money for practical on-the-job training.
Clinton cited Scott and Booker’s legislation in her speech, stating that she was impressed with South Carolina’s efforts to improve job training for youths. She claimed that such apprenticeships are a huge benefit for workers as well as for businesses, who will earn a tax credit for every apprentice they hire.
“Today, I’m calling for a new $1,500 tax credit that creates incentives for more businesses to invest in apprenticeships,” Hillary told the crowd. “Because first jobs are so important, the [tax] credit should come with a bonus for providing opportunities to young people.”
Clinton said the program isn’t just for youth, but for veterans, mothers, fathers and “every American who wants to work,” but the program will be primarily aimed at those finishing high school and in college.
Clinton’s announcement comes just after one of her Democratic opponents, Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, rolled out the $5.5 billion Employ Young Americans Act, which aims to invest in job creation, job training and in education for disadvantaged youth. The goal of the bill is to employ one million Americans ages 16 to 24.
Sanders has recently been surging in New Hampshire and a planned rally in Charleston, S.C., for Saturday has been moved because of a larger than expected number of planned attendees.
This is Hillary’s second stop in South Carolina since April. She lost the 2008 primary in the state to Barack Obama after a poor showing among black voters.
In May, Clinton made a one-day stop in Columbia to meet with minority women and discuss jobs programs.
