IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

2D SESSION H. RES. 1453 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2024 as ‘‘National 

Workforce Development Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 17, 2024 

Ms. BONAMICI (for herself, Mr. GUTHRIE, Mrs. MCBATH, and Mr. THOMPSON

of Pennsylvania) submitted the following resolution; which was referred 

to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2024 

as ‘‘National Workforce Development Month’’. 

Whereas support for the education, development, 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 multiple stakeholders—including State and local governments, workforce development 

boards, Governors, State and local education, workforce 

and human services agencies, community colleges, local 

businesses, employment service providers, and community-based organizations—provides for long-term, susVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:04 Sep 18, 2024 Jkt 049200 PO 00000 Frm 00001 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR1453.IH HR1453

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tainable, 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 roughly 23 percent by 2030; 

Whereas the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in July 

2024 that there are approximately 8,200,000 unfilled 

jobs in the United States, which decreases corporate productivity, reduces the local tax base, and hinders global 

competitiveness; 

Whereas 76 percent of business leaders say greater support 

for skills development would help their businesses; 

Whereas, in 2021, a record 47,400,000 Americans quit their 

jobs, many of whom did so to try to improve their employment situation; 

Whereas as of August 2024 in the United States— 

(1) roughly 7,115,000 individuals are unemployed; 

(2) unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic 

adults are well above the unemployment rates for White 

adults; and 

(3) workers without postsecondary education and 

skills development are more likely to be unemployed; 

Whereas, according to a recent poll 44 percent of United 

States workers said their current job may be at risk because of 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 


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the skills necessary to effectively prepare individuals for 

employment in local and regional industries, and this legislation is now due for reauthorization; 

Whereas the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 

U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) supports employment, skills development, and support services for approximately 2,900,000 

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 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, including 

the development and delivery of proven strategies such as 

sector partnerships, career pathways, integrated education, 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 estimated to have served more than 5,000,000 and 


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have the potential to serve many more if the delivery of 

such programs is improved; 

Whereas State programs established under the WagnerPeyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et seq.)— 

(1) ensured that nearly 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 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 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— 


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(1) combine rigorous academic content with occupational skills; and 

(2) serve approximately 12,300,000 high school and 

college students across the country; 

Whereas there are nearly 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; 

(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 

(3) have the potential to serve many more if the delivery of such programs is improved; and 

Whereas workforce development is crucial to sustaining economic security for workers in the United States: Now, 

therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) expresses support for the designation of 

3 ‘‘National Workforce Development Month’’; 

4 (2) supports Federal initiatives to promote 

5 workforce development; and 


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1 (3) acknowledges that workforce development 

2 plays a crucial role in supporting workers and grow3 ing the economy. 

Æ 


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