DENVER - A bill that would invest $8 million in workforce and entrepreneurial training for the unemployed heads to the House Finance Committee after clearing its first committee hurdle.

Members of the House Economic and Business Development Committee voted 7-4 to approve the measure Thursday. Sponsored by Rep. Crisanta Duran, D-Denver, and Rep. Robert Ramirez, R-Westminster, the bill would help jobless workers get training to re-enter the workforce while also receiving unemployment benefits.

The measure would extend the availability of enhanced unemployment benefits through June 2014 to those who participate in an approved training program for a high-demand occupation, according to the bill.

"This bill is an innovative and creative approach to ensuring we are doing everything possible to get Coloradans back to work," Duran said in a statement. "People who are unemployed want to get back to work, but they need the skills for jobs in high demand. This program will guarantee they are getting that training."