[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 29 (Wednesday, February 12, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 8488-8489]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-03062]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR


Presidential Memorandum of January 30, 2014; Job-Driven Training 
for Workers

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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    On January 30, 2014, President Barack Obama issued a memorandum to 
the Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Commerce, and the Secretary of 
Education, directing them to develop a specific action plan to make the 
workforce and training system more job-driven, integrated, and 
effective. This plan is to be provided to the President through the 
Vice President within 180 days of the date of this memorandum. The text 
of this memorandum reads --
    Giving workers the opportunity to acquire the skills that they need 
to pursue in-demand jobs and careers is critical to growing our 
economy, ensuring that everyone who works hard is rewarded, and 
building a strong middle class. Despite recent employment growth, far 
too many hard-working individuals still have not been able to find a 
job or increase their earnings, and many businesses report difficulty 
hiring workers with the right skills for jobs that they want to fill.
    It is critical that the Federal Government ensure that its policies 
and programs in the workforce and training system are designed to equip 
the Nation's workers with skills matching the needs of employers 
looking to hire. To achieve this goal, employers must identify the 
skills and credentials required for in-demand jobs and help develop 
training programs; workers and job seekers must have access to 
education and training that meets their unique needs and the 
requirements for good jobs and careers; and employers must have easy 
ways to find workers who have or can acquire those skills. We must take 
steps to ensure that all relevant Federal programs follow such a job-
driven approach to training, and that these programs are accountable 
for getting Americans into good jobs and careers as quickly as 
possible. That is why I have asked the Vice President to lead a 
Government-wide review of relevant Federal programs.

[[Page 8489]]

    Therefore, as part of the overall review process led by the Vice 
President, I hereby direct as follows:
    Section 1. Job-Driven Reform of Federal Employment and Training 
Programs. (a) Within 180 days of the date of this memorandum and in 
coordination with the Office of the Vice President, the National 
Economic Council, the Domestic Policy Council, the Council of Economic 
Advisers, the Office of Science and Technology Policy, and the Office 
of Management and Budget, the Secretaries of Labor, Commerce, and 
Education (Secretaries), in consultation with other executive 
departments and agencies as appropriate, shall develop a specific 
action plan, to be provided to me through the Vice President, to make 
the workforce and training system more job-driven, integrated, and 
effective.
    (b) The action plan shall identify concrete steps to make Federal 
workforce and training programs and policies more focused on imparting 
relevant skills with job-market value, more easily accessed by 
employers and job seekers, and more accountable for producing positive 
employment and earning outcomes for the people they serve. Such steps 
shall be consistent with the following job-driven training principles:
    (i) Promoting more active engagement with industry, employers and 
employer associations, and worker representatives to identify the 
skills and supports workers need, and to make sure those skills are 
better communicated to education and training providers, workforce 
leaders, job seekers, and policy makers;
    (ii) providing support for secondary and post-secondary education 
and training entities to equip individuals with the skills, 
competencies, and credentials necessary to help them obtain jobs, 
increase earnings, and advance their careers;
    (iii) making available to workers, job seekers, and employers the 
best information regarding job demand, skills matching, supports, and 
education, training, and career options, as well as innovative 
approaches to training using learning science and advanced technology;
    (iv) improving accountability for the outcomes of training 
programs, including employment and earnings outcomes;
    (v) ensuring better alignment across secondary, post-secondary, and 
adult education, and workforce training, including coordinating Federal 
programs and promoting foundational skill development for 
employability, on-the-job training, and apprenticeship options; and
    (vi) encouraging effective regional partnerships among industry, 
educators, worker representatives, nonprofits, and the workforce system 
to prepare, support, and train youth, unemployed workers, low-skilled 
employed adults, and others for career path employment and advancement.
    (c) In developing the action plan, the Secretaries shall consult 
with industry, employers and employer associations, State and local 
leaders, economic development organizations, worker representatives, 
education and training providers, workforce leaders, and relevant 
nonprofit organizations.
    (d) In developing the action plan, the Secretaries shall review 
existing evidence of the job training strategies that most effectively 
achieve the goals of this memorandum, determine what information is 
lacking, and identify future research and evaluation that can be 
undertaken to ensure that Federal programs invest in effective 
practices.
    Sec. 2. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be 
construed to impair or otherwise affect:
    (i) The authority granted by law to a department or agency, or the 
head thereof; or
    (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and 
Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
    (b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable 
law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
    (c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any 
right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in 
equity by any party against the United States, its departments, 
agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other 
person.
    (d) The Secretary of Labor is authorized and directed to publish 
this memorandum in the Federal Register.

    Dated: February 6, 2014.
Gerri Fiala,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2014-03062 Filed 2-11-14; 8:45 am]
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