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SENATE RESOLUTION 780--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2022 AS ``NATIONAL
WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MONTH''
Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Young, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Scott of South Carolina, Ms. Hirono, Mr. Casey, Mr. Daines, Ms. Cantwell, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Ms. Hassan, Mr. Cramer, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Braun, Ms. Klobuchar, Mr. Padilla, Mrs. Blackburn, Mr. Wicker, Mr. Coons, Mrs. Capito, Mr. Lujan, Mr. Hickenlooper, Mr. Peters, Ms. Smith, Mr. Kelly, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Collins, Mr. Rubio, Mr. Murphy, and Ms. Cortez Masto) submitted the following resolution; which was considered and agreed to:
S. Res. 780
Whereas investment in the education, training, and career advancement of the workforce in the United States, known as
``workforce development'', is crucial to the ability of the United States to compete in the global economy;
Whereas collaboration among Governors, local governments, State and local education, workforce, and human services agencies, community colleges, local businesses, employment service providers, community-based organizations, and workforce development boards provides for long-term, sustainable, and successful workforce development across traditional sectors and emerging industries;
Whereas the number of jobs that require more than a high school diploma, but not a 4-year degree, is projected to increase by approximately 23 percent by 2030;
Whereas 76 percent of business leaders say greater investment in skills training would help their businesses;
Whereas, in 2021, a record 47,400,000 individuals in the United States quit their jobs, many of whom did so to improve their employment situation;
Whereas, as of July 2022 in the United States--
(1) approximately 5,700,000 individuals are unemployed;
(2) unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic adults are well above the unemployment rates for White adults;
(3) workers without postsecondary education and training are more likely to be unemployed;
(4) more than \1/2\ of the jobs lost due to the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic were by workers earning less than $40,000 per year; and
(5) according to a recent poll, 44 percent of United States workers said their current job may be at risk due to new developments in technology and automation, while 50 percent said they would retrain for a career in a different field or industry if they had the opportunity;
Whereas, in 2014, Congress reauthorized the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) with overwhelming bipartisan support in recognition of the need to strengthen the focus of the United States on the skills necessary to effectively prepare individuals for employment in local and regional industries;
Whereas the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) supports employment, training, and support services for individuals with barriers to employment, including--
(1) individuals who earn low incomes;
(2) individuals who are out of work, including the long- term unemployed;
(3) individuals displaced by outsourcing;
(4) individuals living in rural areas or areas with persistently high unemployment;
(5) individuals looking to learn new skills; and
(6) individuals with disabilities;
Whereas the more than 550 workforce development boards and 2,400 American Job Centers are a driving force behind growing regional economies by providing training, resources, and assistance to workers who aim to compete in the 21st century economy;
Whereas ongoing State and local implementation of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) provides unprecedented opportunities to develop the skills of workers in the United States through access to effective, quality workforce education and training, including the development and delivery of proven strategies such as sector partnerships, career pathways, integrated education and training, work-based learning models, and paid internships;
Whereas, in 2022, programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) are projected to serve more than 5,000,000 young people and adults;
Whereas State programs established under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.)--
(1) ensured that approximately 2,500,000 workers, including more than 146,000 veterans and more than 120,000 individuals with disabilities, had access to career services virtually and through American Job Centers during the 2020 program year; and
(2) are a foundational part of the workforce development system;
Whereas community colleges and other workforce development training providers across the United States are well situated--
(1) to train the next generation of workers in the United States; and
(2) to address the educational challenges created by emerging industries and technological advancements;
Whereas participation in a career and technical education
(referred to in this preamble as ``CTE'') program decreases the risk of students dropping out of high school, and all 50 States and the District of Columbia report higher graduation rates for CTE students compared to other students;
Whereas community and technical colleges operate as open- access institutions serving millions of students annually at a comparatively low cost;
Whereas the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act (Public Law 115-224; 132 Stat. 1563) supports the development and implementation of high-quality CTE programs that--
(1) combine rigorous academic content with occupational skills; and
(2) serve approximately 12,300,000 high school and college students across the United States;
Whereas there are approximately 600,000 registered apprentices in the United States, and there is growing and bipartisan support for expanding quality earn-and-learn strategies to help current and future workers gain skills and work experience;
Whereas the federally supported workforce system and partner programs--
(1) have helped rebuild the economy of the United States and provide increased economic opportunities; and
(2) provide a pathway into 21st century jobs that support families while ensuring that businesses in the United States find the skilled workforce needed to compete in the global economy; and
Whereas workforce development is crucial to sustaining economic security for workers in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Senate--
(1) designates September 2022 as ``National Workforce Development Month'';
(2) supports Federal initiatives to promote workforce development; and
(3) acknowledges that workforce development plays a crucial role in supporting workers and growing the economy.
Mrs. FEINSTEIN. Mr. President, I rise today to support my bipartisan resolution--which I introduce along with Senators Todd Young, Tammy Baldwin, and Tim Scott--to designate September 2022 as National Workforce Development Month and to highlight the importance of workforce development programs for dislocated workers, low-income adults, and at-risk youth.
According to a recent poll, nearly half of U.S. workers said their current job may be at risk due to advancements in technology and automation. By 2030, the number of U.S.-based jobs that will require more than a high school degree but not those of a 4-year college education is expected to increase by nearly one-quarter. Our economy is changing, and our workforce must change along with it.
Accordingly, both business leaders and workers say that they would benefit from investments in worker skills training and development.
In response to the needs of workers and businesses, Congress reauthorized the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in 2014, which passed with strong bipartisan support. This landmark legislation has supported employment, training, and support services in recognition of the need to strengthen the focus of the United States on the skills necessary to effectively prepare individuals for employment in local and regional industries.
The COVID-19 pandemic has led many Americans to adapt their work habits and change their jobs or career paths. The pandemic has also altered the demands for many jobs. It is therefore imperative for us to prioritize workforce development programs focused on this new reality while also getting people back to work.
This resolution reaffirms the impact that education, skills training, and career advancement training can have on workers' ability to improve their lives.
Our resolution would designate September 2022 as National Workforce Development Month, something Congress has done each year since 2017. More specifically, our resolution would reaffirm the Senate's support for Federal initiatives promoting workforce development and acknowledge the vital role this training plays in supporting employees, businesses, and our national economic prosperity.
As the needs of businesses and workers change, it is important that Congress support the development of a skilled workforce. I hope my colleagues will join me in support of this resolution.
____________________
SOURCE: Congressional Record Vol. 168, No. 151
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