BICSI Public Policy Center

Building a strong foundation of public policy surrounding information and communications technology (ICT) is critical to BICSI’s vision of being the preeminent ICT resource for the Connected World. To achieve this, tools, technologies, and resources must exist so BICSI members have access to legislative actions and regulatory policies that may affect them. To this end, BICSI works closely with our members and other associations to help educate decision-makers at all levels of government and to make policy recommendations on reforms that impact our members and credential holders.

 

Industry Coalitions

BICSI is an active member of the following initiatives:

• Professional Certification Coalition ↗, whose objective is to address efforts to enact state legislation that would undermine the activities or recognition of certifications developed or offered by non-governmental, private certification organizations, as well as being a member of the ASAE.

  • Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act
    The bipartisan, bicameral Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow's Workforce Act (H.R. 1477/S. 722) would expand eligible uses of tax-favorable 529 savings plans to cover costs associated with workforce training and credentialing programs. The legislation would also enable 529 plan beneficiaries to use their funds to pay for examinations necessary to obtain and maintain recognized private professional certifications and other credentials. Now, only costs related to attending colleges, universities, vocational schools, registered apprenticeship programs, K-12 private tuition, or other post-secondary institutions are eligible 529 expenses.

• Tomorrow’s Workforce Coalition ↗, created to specifically advocate for a stronger workforce, most recently through efforts to build support around the bipartisan, bicameral Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act ↗ (S. 722 / H.R. 1477).

  • Resources and Education to Build (REBUILD) Skills Act
    The REBUILD Skills Act, which is not yet introduced, would create a federally funded Career Rebuilding Scholarship Fund, administered by approved certification organizations and worker training programs, to distribute scholarships to eligible individuals who incur covered expenses to take certification exams or enroll in a training program. Funds would cover up to the lesser of 95% or $3,000 of a program.

    This bill would also create a federal directory of approved, legitimate training and certification programs that could benefit all American workers and not just individuals eligible for scholarships.

• Connected Technology Industry Consortium. BICSI actively participates in a group of like-minded organizations whose focus is to support bipartisan legislation that will facilitate workforce development in all sectors of the ICT workforce.
  • The Consortium is dedicated to working with policymakers on issues such as simplifying occupational licensing laws, promoting uniform licensing for trades and professions, advocating for technical training, and eliminating unnecessary barriers to entry in the ICT workforce.