JEFFERSON CITY (July 7, 2023) –The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) here in Missouri commends Governor Mike Parson’s signature of HB 417, also known as the Upskill Bill, which provides grants for employees to enhance their training or education.

Upon being signed into law, NFIB State Director Brad Jones issued the following statement:

“In this difficult environment, ensuring our small businesses have the tools at their disposal to compete is essential to their survival. As qualified applicants remain in short supply, this bill will help our local job creators keep up with technology and enhance the opportunities of their employees.”

Background:

HB 417 provides grants to employers to encourage employees to obtain upskill credentials.

A recent NFIB jobs report found that 42 percent of owners reported job openings they could not fill, with 24 percent of owners reporting labor quality as their top small business operating problem. CLICK HERE for the full report.