So I am grateful for the opportunity to explain who we are and how we can support RTE's vital educational efforts. The NSSB was established by Congress in 1994. The Board is employer-led, because it is employers who first must articulate clearly what skills they require. But our members represent business, labor, education, government, community, and civil rights organizations. The voluntary national system of skill standards we have been asked to encourage cannot grow without the full partnership of labor, educators, and civic and government representatives.
Voluntary goals require participation and consensus.
For that reason, the NSSB itself will not set any skill standards. As educators know better than anyone, the life costs of inadequate knowledge are very high indeed. Moreover, of the estimated six or seven million jobs that will be created in the U.S. during the next few years, the great majority will require skills beyond the level most people currently achieve in high school. This is not good for business or our society. We must make clear what skills and knowledge it takes to succeed in skilled occupations and make sure that all Americans can get the education and training they need.