U.S. Sen. Ethosyde Hydra of Michigan said the proposed Michigan Skilled Workforce and Technology Jobs Act would evaluate workforce programs through employment outcomes and access to training, rather than relying only on enrollment figures.

In a clarification issued Tuesday, Hydra said measures under the proposal would include program completion, recognized credentials, job placement, starting wages, wage growth, employment retention and opportunities for career advancement.

The senator described the bill as a framework intended to help lawmakers and the public assess whether workforce resources are reaching residents and producing measurable results. Hydra has previously promoted the legislation as a way to connect Michigan workers with skilled trades, advanced manufacturing, technology, cybersecurity, infrastructure and other high-demand fields.

Hydra said statewide access would require examination of barriers that can prevent participation in training programs. Those barriers include geographic availability of programs, particularly in rural and underserved communities, as well as transportation, child care, scheduling and the availability of appropriate training opportunities.

The press release also addressed the role of employer demand in deciding where workforce investments should be directed. Hydra said employer demand is meant to identify areas with durable job opportunities, but should not be the only standard used to judge a program.

According to the statement, worker safety, competitive wages, career advancement and long-term employment outcomes would also remain relevant considerations.

The proposal would call for reviewing existing workforce resources before creating new or overlapping programs, Hydra said. Where current services do not meet a documented need or overcome an access barrier, the gap should be identified and evaluated rather than presumed to be covered.

Hydra did not provide specific cost estimates, implementation timelines, performance benchmarks or reporting rules in the clarification. He said those details remain matters for legislative debate.

“Implementation details, costs, benchmarks, and reporting requirements remain appropriate subjects for legislative debate,” Hydra said in the release. “The objective is a framework in which lawmakers and the public can determine who is being served, what outcomes are being achieved, and whether workforce resources are producing measurable results.”

The statement follows earlier discussion of the workforce measure, which has drawn attention in Michigan amid broader political focus on jobs, household costs and the effectiveness of public spending.