Why Now is the Time for States To Build Their SNAP E&T Programs

There is an urgent need for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants to secure the education and training required to transition to economic self-sufficiency. The majority of jobs in the future will require at least some education beyond high school, yet many SNAP participants have not reached this level of educational attainment. Without the skills to meet rapidly changing labor market demand, the chances of these SNAP participants getting a good job and reducing their need for SNAP are extremely low. The SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) program, a skills and job training program for SNAP participants administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), is a key resource that States and their partners can use to help SNAP participants gain skills for higher paying jobs. This USDA Policy Brief presents evidence for the usefulness of SNAP E&T and why States should seriously consider building their own SNAP E&T programs.