Business Roundtable today released a suite of federal policy recommendations to modernize the workforce development system to ensure a stronger return on investment and tackle the critical challenges facing workers and employers. Read the full suite of recommendations here.
To preserve America’s global economic leadership, the United States needs a world-class, modern workforce development system that fosters productivity and innovation and helps workers navigate a rapidly changing economy.
As the United States enters a challenging new economic period—amid job openings, technological advancements, tougher competition from abroad and lingering effects from the pandemic—Business Roundtable urges Congress to reform existing programs into a modern, effective workforce development system to grow and sustain a skilled workforce.
The Business Roundtable workforce policy recommendations—developed under the leadership of Mary Barra, Chair and CEO of General Motors and Business Roundtable Chair, and Scott Kirby, CEO of United and Chair of the Business Roundtable Education and Workforce Committee—are guided by the following principles:
- Make reskilling and upskilling programs more accessible for workers seeking greater economic mobility.
- Invest in community colleges and high-quality, non-traditional training programs.
- Modernize the system to ensure a stronger return on investment for workers, employers and taxpayers.
The full policy recommendations are available here and include:
- Promoting worker training accounts
- Supporting training for occupations in high-demand fields
- Investing in employer-based training models
- Expanding Pell Grants to cover short-term programs
- Promoting digital literacy skills
- Expanding tax incentives leading to portable skills
- Reforming the Federal Work-Study program
- Providing flexibility to states, employers and workers for the use of workforce development funds
Business Roundtable companies are investing in workforce development through strong investments in worker training, apprenticeships and second chance employment, along with collective efforts such as the Business Roundtable Multiple Pathways Initiative, the Workforce Partnership Initiative and the Second Chance Business Coalition.