[Congressional Record Volume 168, Number 151 (Tuesday, September 20, 2022)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4860-S4861]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
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
[[Page S4861]]
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.
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