[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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