IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 743 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2023 as ‘‘National 

Workforce Development Month’’. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 29, 2023 

Ms. BONAMICI (for herself and Mr. GUTHRIE) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and the Workforce 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing support for the designation of September 2023 

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 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 longterm, sustainable, and successful workforce development 

across traditional sectors and emerging industries; 


kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
2 

•HRES 743 IH 

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 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 2023 in the United States— 

(1) roughly 6,300,000 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 

skills development are more likely to be unemployed; and 

(4) more than half of the jobs lost due to the 

coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID–19) pandemic were by 

workers earning less than $40,000 per year; 

Whereas, according to a recent poll 44 percent of United 

States workers said their current job 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, skills developVerDate Sep 11 2014 03:43 Sep 30, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00002 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR743.IH HR743

kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
3 

•HRES 743 IH 

ment, 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 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 

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 indiVerDate Sep 11 2014 01:47 Sep 30, 2023 Jkt 039200 PO 00000 Frm 00003 Fmt 6652 Sfmt 6300 E:\BILLS\HR743.IH HR743

kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
4 

•HRES 743 IH 

viduals 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— 

(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 


kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB
5 

•HRES 743 IH 

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 

6 (3) acknowledges that workforce development 

7 plays a crucial role in supporting workers and grow8 ing the economy. 

Æ 


kjohnson on DSK7ZCZBW3PROD with $$_JOB