[Congressional Bills 115th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 267 Introduced in Senate (IS)]

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115th CONGRESS
  1st Session
S. RES. 267

Designating September 2017 as ``National Workforce Development Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 25, 2017

  Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Hatch, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Enzi, Mr. 
  Barrasso, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Donnelly, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Harris, Mr. 
  Roberts, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Franken, Ms. Hassan, Ms. Hirono, and Mr. 
 Kaine) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the 
                       Committee on the Judiciary

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Designating September 2017 as ``National Workforce Development Month''.

Whereas investment in the education and training of the United States workforce 
        is crucial to the ability of the United States to compete in the global 
        economy;
Whereas collaboration among local educational agencies, community colleges, 
        Governors, local governments, local businesses, employment service 
        providers, and workforce development boards provides for long-term, 
        sustainable, and successful workforce development across traditional 
        sectors and emerging industries;
Whereas, as of September 2017, middle-skill jobs, which require more than a high 
        school diploma but not a 4-year degree, comprise 53 percent of the labor 
        market, but only 43 percent of United States workers are trained at that 
        level, creating a discrepancy that may limit growth in changing 
        industries such as health care, manufacturing, and information 
        technology;
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 fill jobs 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 individuals--

    (1) who are out of work;

    (2) displaced by outsourcing;

    (3) looking to learn new skills; and

    (4) with disabilities;

Whereas the more than 550 workforce development boards and 2,500 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 United States workers through 
        access to effective 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 2015, programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.)--

    (1) served nearly 7,000,000 young people and adults;

    (2) exceeded employment targets across all programs; and

    (3) helped more than 1,500,000 individuals, including English language 
learners, take classes to gain skills and credentials to help the 
individuals succeed in the labor market;

Whereas State programs established under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et 
        seq.)--

    (1) served nearly 14,000,000 unemployed workers through American Job 
Centers in 2015; and

    (2) are an integral part of the workforce development system;

Whereas workforce development programs will play a critical role in addressing 
        the expected 2,000,000 unfilled manufacturing jobs over the next decade;
Whereas community colleges and other workforce development training providers 
        across the United States are well-situated--

    (1) to train the next generation of United States workers; 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, as 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 Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act of 2006 (20 
        U.S.C. 2301 et seq.) supports the development and implementation of 
        high-quality CTE programs that--

    (1) combine rigorous academic content with occupational skills; and

    (2) served 11,900,000 high school and college students from 2015 to 
2016;

Whereas there are nearly 500,000 registered apprentices in the United States, 
        and there is growing and bipartisan support for expanding earn-and-learn 
        strategies to help current and future workers gain skills and work 
        experience;
Whereas federally supported workforce system and partner programs--

    (1) have helped the United States rebuild the economy and provide 
increased economic opportunities; and

    (2) provide a pathway into jobs that support families while ensuring 
that United States businesses find the skilled workforce needed to compete 
in the global economy; and

Whereas workforce development is crucial to sustaining economic security for 
        United States workers: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the Senate--
            (1) designates September 2017 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.
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