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As business leaders representing every sector of the economy, Business Roundtable members know that the American economy thrives when U.S. workers have the levels of education and training needed to succeed in the jobs of today and tomorrow. Our country needs a world-class, skilled workforce to lead in global innovation, ensure future economic growth and drive job creation.

Unfortunately, the U.S. skills gap is real and growing. According to a Business Roundtable member survey, 94 percent of CEOs report that skills gaps are problematic for their companies. This talent gap affects all skill levels – from entry level to the highly technical.

More must be done now to strengthen the education and training pipeline serving youth and working adults so that individuals have the skills needed to be prepared to work and build sustainable career paths.

Business Roundtable Statement on Signing of Perkins Act Reauthorization

Business Roundtable released the following statement from Wes Bush, Chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman and Chair of the Business Roundtable Education and Workforce Committee, on President Trump signing into law legislation to reauthorize and modernize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins Act):

Business Roundtable Applauds House Passage of Perkins Act Reauthorization

Business Roundtable President & CEO Joshua Bolten today released the following statement on the House vote to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins Act):

Letter: Business Roundtable Urges Senate to Pass Bipartisan Perkins Act Reauthorization

On behalf of the CEO members of Business Roundtable, whose companies employ more than 16 million people, I urge the Senate to pass S.3039, bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Act.

Business Roundtable Praises Senate Passage of Perkins Act Reauthorization

Business Roundtable released the following statement from Wes Bush, Chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman and Chair of the Business Roundtable Education and Workforce Committee following the U.S. Senate’s passage of the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins Act)

Business Roundtable Welcomes White House Action to Boost Workforce Development

Business Leaders Support the Administration's Formation of the National Council for the American Worker and American Workforce Policy Advisory Board

Amicus Brief Seeks NLRB Review of 'Micro-Unit' Bargaining Group

Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce have filed an amicus brief in support of a petition by The Boeing Company to the National Labor Relations Board. The company is asking the full board to review a regional director's decision that permitted the International Machinists and Aerospace Workers, AFL-CIO, to establish a "micro-unit" to collectively bargain at Boeing's South Carolina manufacturing plant. 

Business Roundtable Applauds Bipartisan Advancement of Perkins Act

Following the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee’s bipartisan passage of legislation to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act, Business Roundtable today released the following statement from Wes Bush, Chairman and CEO of Northrop Grumman Corporation and Chair of the Business Roundtable Education & Workforce Committee:

Business Roundtable Urges Bipartisan Passage of Perkins Act Reauthorization

Business Roundtable today urges the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) to pass bipartisan legislation to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins Act).

Letter: Business Roundtable Urges Bipartisan Passage of Perkins Act Reauthorization

The Honorable Lamar Alexander 
Chair, Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee 
U.S. Senate
455 Dirksen Office Building 
Washington, DC 20515
 
Dear Chairman Alexander:
 
On behalf of the CEO members of Business Roundtable, whose companies employ more than 16 million people, I urge you to pass the bipartisan manager’s amendment to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act (Perkins Act). 
 

BRT Launches CEO-led and Community Partnerships to Strengthen U.S. Workforce

Business Leaders Create Regional Networks to Meet Changing Skills Needs and Expand Quality Job Opportunities

Washington – Business Roundtable today launched the Workforce Partnership Initiative (WPI) to tackle current and future skills development challenges and drive economic growth in seven regions around the U.S. CEOs of leading businesses will partner with local colleges and universities to accelerate and scale best-in-class workforce readiness programs and develop a steady talent pipeline that meets the changing needs of each region’s growing industries.

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Committee Priorities

Improve U.S. K-12 Education

A persistent complaint by employers is that many high school and college graduates – as well as some adult workers – lack foundational skills needed in the 21st century workplace. These include, for example, analyzing complex texts, adapting to new technologies and problem solving.

Rigorous academic standards in K-12 English language arts and mathematics are critical to ensuring all students graduate from high school ready for college and the workforce. Business Roundtable supports the full adoption and implementation of high-quality education standards and aligned assessments to raise the performance of U.S. students. Business Roundtable also supports policies and programs that ensure all students read on grade level by the end of third grade.

Align Individual Skills with Employer Needs

Businesses increasingly have difficulty finding employees with the knowledge and training required to meet their workforce needs. This includes both technical skills – such as aptitude in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) – and applied skills – such as leadership, problem-solving and communications abilities. This misalignment of skills exacerbates unemployment and stifles economic growth.

Business Roundtable believes a multifaceted solution, involving public and private players, is needed to address this skills mismatch problem. As a start, employers must send a clear, direct “demand signal” of the foundational attributes employees must demonstrate to succeed in the workplace; industry needs to sort out the large and chaotic world of industry credentials; state workforce boards and educational and training centers must understand job needs in each region and focus on helping students acquire the skills needed to fill those jobs; and human resources practices must improve across industry to identify competencies gained through valid credential programs and relevant experience.

Key Federal Legislation

Business Roundtable will continue to advocate for federal legislation that authorizes programs and policies that improve educational outcomes and help close the skills gap, including reauthorization of America COMPETES, the Carl D. Perkins Act and the Higher Education Act.

Committee's Recent Activities

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