119-hres690

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 690 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

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119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 690

Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 as ``National 
 Workforce Development Month''.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 September 10, 2025

 Ms. Bonamici (for herself, Mr. Guthrie, and Mr. Thompson of 
Pennsylvania) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to 
 the Committee on Education and Workforce

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

Expressing support for the designation of September 2025 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 multiple stakeholders, including State and local 
 governments, workforce development boards, Governors, State and local 
 education, workforce, and human services agencies, community colleges, 
 local businesses, employment service providers, and community-based 
 organizations, provides for long-term, sustainable, and successful 
 workforce development across traditional sectors and emerging 
 industries;
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 the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in July 2025 that there are 
 approximately 7,400,000 unfilled jobs in the United States, which 
 decreases corporate productivity, reduces the local tax base, and 
 hinders global competitiveness;
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 2025 in the United States--

    (1) roughly 7,200,000 individuals are unemployed;

    (2) unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic adults are well above the 
unemployment rates for White adults; and

    (3) workers without postsecondary education and skills development are 
more likely to be unemployed;

Whereas, according to a recent poll, 44 percent of United States workers said 
 their current job may be at risk because of 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, and this legislation is now due for 
 reauthorization;
Whereas the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) 
 supports employment, career exploration, skills development, and 
 supportive services for approximately 2,700,000 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 who seek employment after incarceration;

    (6) individuals looking to learn new skills; and

    (7) individuals with disabilities;

Whereas the more than 550 workforce development boards and 2,300 American Job 
 Centers are a driving force behind growing regional economies by 
 providing resources and assistance to workers, often through 
 apprenticeships, work experience opportunities, and on-the-job training, 
 with over 70 percent of individuals receiving career and training 
 services becoming employed;
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 
 8,583,318 individuals and have the potential to serve many more if the 
 delivery of such programs is improved;
Whereas State programs established under the Wagner-Peyser 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 individuals 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 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;

    (3) generate tax revenue, increase labor force participation, and 
reduce reliance on public assistance;

    (4) leverage additional resources from private philanthropy, business, 
community foundations, and other public and private sources; and

    (5) 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
 Resolved, That the House of Representatives--

    (1) expresses support for the designation of ``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, increasing labor force 
 participation, and growing the economy.
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