Washington—The Senate today passed a bipartisan resolution introduced by Senators Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) and Todd Young (R-Ind.) to encourage investment in education and training for American workers by designating September as “National Workforce Development Month.” The resolution supports federal programs that promote workforce development and recognizes the crucial role they play in growing our economy.

“We must continue to invest in training and education to help American workers,” said Senator Feinstein. “This is particularly true as millions of workers are left without a job due to the coronavirus pandemic.  As we continue to rebuild our economy, our resolution will support workforce development programs to help put more Americans back to work.”

“The COVID-19 pandemic has had an unprecedented effect on jobs and employment across the country. Now more than ever, it’s important to ensure that folks have access to and are qualified for good-paying jobs,” Senator Enzi said. “I’m pleased to join Senators Feinstein, Young and Baldwin in emphasizing the crucial role that workforce development plays in our economic security and providing quality training and education to our workers.”

“Wisconsin workers are the backbone of our economy, but are experiencing some really tough times during this economic crisis,” said Senator Baldwin. “National Workforce Development Month recognizes that we must invest in our workers now more than ever. As our nation continues to combat the coronavirus, we need to ensure our workers have the skills to succeed, and businesses have the skilled workers they need to move our economy forward.”

“In Indiana, manufacturing jobs account for almost 1 in 5 Hoosier jobs,” said Senator Young. “During a time when our workforce is facing unprecedented challenges, I’m glad the Senate passed our resolution to designate September as National Workforce Development Month. We must continue working to equip Americans with the training and skills needed to secure jobs in manufacturing and other industries that are vital to our economy.”

Access to effective workforce education and training programs are critical to supporting workers and expanding access to living wage jobs. Federal programs and funding provide the foundation for these programs. The Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century Act supports the development and implementation of high-quality CTE programs and has served 12 million high school and college students from 2016 to 2017.

Programs authorized under the bipartisan Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act served nearly 6 million young people and adults in 2018 and exceeded employment targets across all programs. Nationwide, there are more than 550 workforce development boards and 2,500 American Job Centers that work with job seekers and employers across industries ranging from healthcare and information technology to manufacturing and construction.

Full text of the resolution follows:

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 job 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.