[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1453 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 1453

Expressing support for the designation of September 2024 as ``National 
                     Workforce Development Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 17, 2024

 Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Guthrie, Mrs. McBath, and Mr. Thompson 
of Pennsylvania) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 
            to the Committee on Education and the Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
Expressing support for the designation of September 2024 as ``National 
                     Workforce Development Month''.

Whereas support for the education, development, 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 multiple stakeholders--including State and local 
        governments, workforce development boards, Governors, State and local 
        education, workforce and human services agencies, community colleges, 
        local businesses, employment service providers, and community-based 
        organizations--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 roughly 23 percent by 2030;
Whereas the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in July 2024 that there are 
        approximately 8,200,000 unfilled jobs in the United States, which 
        decreases corporate productivity, reduces the local tax base, and 
        hinders global competitiveness;
Whereas 76 percent of business leaders say greater support for skills 
        development would help their businesses;
Whereas, in 2021, a record 47,400,000 Americans quit their jobs, many of whom 
        did so to try to improve their employment situation;
Whereas as of August 2024 in the United States--

    (1) roughly 7,115,000 individuals are unemployed;

    (2) unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic adults are well above the 
unemployment rates for White adults; and

    (3) workers without postsecondary education and skills development are 
more likely to be unemployed;

Whereas, according to a recent poll 44 percent of United States workers said 
        their current job may be at risk because of 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, and this legislation is now due for 
        reauthorization;
Whereas the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) 
        supports employment, skills development, and support services for 
        approximately 2,900,000 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 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, including the 
        development and delivery of proven strategies such as sector 
        partnerships, career pathways, integrated education, 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 estimated to have served 
        more than 5,000,000 and have the potential to serve many more if the 
        delivery of such programs is improved;
Whereas State programs established under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et 
        seq.)--

    (1) ensured that nearly 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 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, 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 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 country;

Whereas there are nearly 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;

    (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

    (3) have the potential to serve many more if the delivery of such 
programs is improved; and

Whereas workforce development is crucial to sustaining economic security for 
        workers in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for the designation of ``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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