[Congressional Record Volume 164, Number 155 (Tuesday, September 18, 2018)]
[Senate]
[Pages S6231-S6232]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




    SENATE RESOLUTION 632--DESIGNATING SEPTEMBER 2018 AS ``NATIONAL 
                     WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT MONTH''

  Mrs. FEINSTEIN (for herself, Mr. Hatch, Ms. Baldwin, and Mr. Enzi) 
submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee 
on the Judiciary:

                              S. Res. 632

       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 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 workers in the 
     United States 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--
       (1) individuals who are low-income;
       (2) individuals who are out of work;
       (3) individuals displaced by outsourcing;
       (4) individuals looking to learn new skills; and
       (5) individuals 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 workers in the United States 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 2016, programs authorized under the Workforce 
     Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.)--
       (1) served more than 7,000,000 young people and adults;
       (2) exceeded employment targets across all programs; and

[[Page S6232]]

       (3) helped more than 1,300,000 individuals, including 
     English language learners, 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) ensured that more than 5,400,000 unemployed workers, 
     including more than 800,000 veterans, had access to career 
     services through American Job Centers in 2016; and
       (2) are a foundational 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 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 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 approximately 11,000,000 high school and college 
     students from 2016 to 2017;
       Whereas there are more than 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 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 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 2018 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 introduce a resolution 
to recognize September as ``Workforce Development Month.'' I thank 
Senators Hatch, Enzi, and Baldwin for supporting this bipartisan 
resolution.
  As technological advances reshape traditional fields and fuel the 
emergence of new industries, it is imperative that our workforce 
development system remain agile and flexible in order to educate and 
train the next generation of workers and those needing additional on-
the-job training skills to stay competitive.
  In addition, it is vital that we recognize the importance of all 
career pathways and professional development--whether an individual 
pursues a four year degree or seeks to further their education at a 
community college, through an industry recognized certificate program, 
or as an apprentice.
  In an effort to face this challenge head on, Congress passed the 
Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act in 2014 (WIOA) with 
overwhelming bipartisan support. WIOA was signed into law by President 
Obama and has helped streamline the workforce development system while 
increasing and strengthening partnerships between regional businesses, 
workforce development boards, and educational institutions.
  And more recently, Congress passed the Strengthening Career and 
Technical Education for the 21st Century Act, which was later signed 
into law by President Trump. This law aims to increase collaboration 
between high schools, community colleges, and workforce development 
programs. In addition, this law supports work-based learning 
opportunities, provides industry-recognized credentials, and increases 
federal funding for CTE programs.
  In fact, it is these partnerships that have proven to be key to 
regional success at addressing the workforce needs of businesses. By 
working together, local businesses and educators can ensure that not 
only do businesses have access to the talent they need to grow but that 
those seeking work can find it.
  Nationwide, the more than 550 workforce development boards and 2,500 
American Job Centers have become a driving force behind growing 
regional economies by providing training, resources, and assistance to 
workers aiming to compete in the 21st century economy.
  These workforce development boards and American Job Centers work with 
job seekers and employers across industries ranging from healthcare and 
information technology to manufacturing and construction.
  There are currently over half a million registered apprentices across 
the country, including nearly eighty-six thousand in California alone. 
Bipartisan support for earn-and-learn approaches, such as 
apprenticeships and paid internships, is critical for helping future 
workers gain the skills and experience they need while being able to 
provide for themselves and their families.
  In recognition of workforce development month, Congress reaffirms its 
support for a comprehensive approach to workforce development, 
encourages partnerships between industry leaders and educators, and 
emphasizes the importance of all career pathways in pursuit of economic 
prosperity.
  In closing, during this month it is essential that we acknowledge and 
commend the professionals who work every day to make these efforts a 
reality. America's workforce is the backbone of our economy and it is 
the expertise, dedication, and knowledge of these professionals that 
has helped develop such a robust system.
  Mr. President, I hope this resolution will promptly pass the Senate. 
I hope my colleagues will join me in supporting this resolution to 
ensure its passage and encouraging the continued growth of our 
workforce development system. Thank you. I yield the floor.

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