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[Congressional Bills 116th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. Res. 690 Agreed to Senate (ATS)]

<DOC>

116th CONGRESS
  2d Session
S. RES. 690

Designating September 2020 as ``National Workforce Development Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                           September 14, 2020

  Mrs. Feinstein (for herself, Mr. Enzi, Ms. Baldwin, Mr. Young, Ms. 
 Cortez Masto, Mr. Carper, Mr. Braun, Mr. Blumenthal, Ms. Hassan, Mr. 
   Van Hollen, Mr. Durbin, Ms. Hirono, Mrs. Shaheen, Mr. Murphy, Ms. 
   Rosen, Mr. Barrasso, Ms. Cantwell, Ms. Stabenow, Mr. Manchin, Mr. 
    Kaine, Ms. Klobuchar, Ms. Duckworth, Ms. Smith, Mr. Cardin, Mr. 
 Merkley, Mrs. Murray, Mr. Peters, Mrs. Hyde-Smith, Mr. Scott of South 
   Carolina, Mr. Roberts, Mr. Cramer, and Mr. Daines) submitted the 
        following resolution; which was considered and agreed to

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION

 
Designating September 2020 as ``National Workforce Development Month''.

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 52 percent of the labor market, but only 42 
        percent of workers in the United States have been able to access 
        training at that level, creating a discrepancy that may limit growth in 
        changing industries such as health care, manufacturing, and information 
        technology;
Whereas 76 percent of business leaders say greater investment in skills training 
        would help their businesses;
Whereas, during the first 6 months of 2020 in the United States--

    (1) tens of millions of individuals filed for unemployment benefits;

    (2) more than 50 percent of job losses were concentrated among workers 
earning less than $40,000 per year; and

    (3) workers with a high school diploma or a lower level of educational 
attainment were displaced from jobs at nearly 3 times the rate of workers 
with a bachelor's degree;

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, 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 2,500 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 2018, programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and 
        Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.)--

    (1) served nearly 6,000,000 young people and adults;

    (2) exceeded employment targets across all programs; and

    (3) helped more than 1,500,000 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 500,000 veterans, had access to career services through American Job 
Centers in 2018; and

    (2) are a foundational part of the workforce development system;

Whereas workforce development programs will play a critical role in addressing 
        the expected 2,400,000 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 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) served approximately 12,500,000 high school and college students 
between 2018 and 2019;

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 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 2020 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.
                                 <all>
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