[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 873 Introduced in House (IH)]

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118th CONGRESS
  1st Session
H. RES. 873

 Expressing support for designating November 2023 as ``National Career 
                          Development Month''.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           November 15, 2023

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

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing support for designating November 2023 as ``National Career 
                          Development Month''.

Whereas November 2023 marks the 110th year that the National Career Development 
        Association is committed to its mission of inspiring and empowering 
        individuals to achieve their career and life goals;
Whereas a competitive global economy requires workers who make informed career 
        choices to prepare for skilled professions;
Whereas preparation for a purposeful career path helps to ensure gainful 
        employment best utilizing one's skills and talent, while providing 
        potential employers with a well-prepared workforce ready to meet the 
        challenges of the global marketplace;
Whereas career development programs enable students to gain a realistic 
        understanding of how formal education prepares them for post-high school 
        plans, which may include immediate employment in a civilian or military 
        occupation, or further education at a career and technical education 
        program, community college, or university;
Whereas career development activities in our communities contribute to lower 
        unemployment as people identify careers that match their interests and 
        desired work environments;
Whereas freedom of occupational and career choice is one of the most important 
        birthrights of every United States citizen, and this freedom will be 
        protected and enhanced throughout life;
Whereas professional career development assistance, including career counseling, 
        should be available to all persons throughout their lifespans;
Whereas career development assistance is a community partnership effort 
        involving the education system, the home and family structure, business, 
        industry, and a wide variety of community agencies and organizations, 
        and is not carried out by career development professionals alone;
Whereas the right to change occupations or career directions is fully as 
        important as the right to choose an occupation or career direction;
Whereas accurate, up-to-date information about educational and occupational 
        opportunities is vital;
Whereas helping individuals increase self-understanding of their abilities, 
        interests, values, and goals is a vital foundation of the career 
        development process;
Whereas career professionals help to provide career development services to 
        inspire and empower our citizens' attention to where it is needed most: 
        empowering the national economy through maximum individual productivity;
Whereas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of September 2023, 
        6,400,000 workers are unemployed;
Whereas career professionals help the United States worker meet the very real 
        and immediate challenges of economic development, student achievement, 
        and global competitiveness;
Whereas career professionals are a vital resource for the livelihood of our 
        Nation's workforce and are underutilized relative to their potential 
        need and value;
Whereas a Harris Interactive Poll, conducted in partnership with the National 
        Career Development Association, examined the perceptions of today's 
        workforce on the effectiveness of career counselors, the need for 
        expanded workforce training opportunities, and the hardships implicit in 
        selecting, changing, or getting a job in the current economic climate, 
        and the feedback is very clear; and
Whereas the 2021 Harris Interactive Poll results revealed that--

    (1) only 13 percent of adults report that they had worked with a career 
specialist such as a school or private counselor, but 85 percent of 
Americans find professional career development assistance valuable; and

    (2) 58 percent of Americans regret not having worked with a career 
services professional in the past: Now, therefore, be it

    Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
            (1) expresses support for the designation of ``National 
        Career Development Month'';
            (2) affirms that career professionals are a valuable 
        resource for the Nation's workforce;
            (3) recognizes career development activities increase 
        competencies needed for success in a global economy;
            (4) urges workers and jobseekers to utilize the services of 
        career professionals; and
            (5) encourages career professionals, students, educators, 
        parents, employers, and the current workforce to celebrate and 
        promote career development.
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