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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.

Not even in the game for high-skilled workers?

The Telegraph (U.K.) publishes a striking story about Canada recruiting high-skilled British citizens.

Microsoft on STEM education: Time for a 'National Talent Strategy'

A new white paper from Microsoft calls for a "National Talent Strategy" for jobs, based on STEM education.

STEM education, skills and the production line

BRT-member CEOs Ellen Kullman of DuPont and Eric Spiegel of Siemens dig deep into education issues at an NBC summit.

In the good old days and STEM education

Remember when the House used to pass a bill, and the Senate would pass its own version, and they'd compromise?

Business Roundtable Expresses Disappointment at Failed Effort to Welcome More of World’s Best and Brightest Innovators

STEM Jobs Act of 2012 (H.R. 6429), which would have made up to 55,000 permanent residency visas available annually to foreign-born graduates who earn advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) from a U.S. university, was not passed by the U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday.

Letter to Congress Re: H.R. 6429 STEM Jobs Act of 2012

The undersigned organizations ask for bipartisan passage of in the 112th Congress of H.R. 6429, “STEM Jobs Act of 2012,” to establish a new green card program for outstanding STEM advanced degree graduates.

Looking around the world of community colleges

As we survey the news about community colleges, first a word: Congratulations!

Accountability, standards and quality in higher education

In North Dakota, the chancellor of higher education has proposed dramatic reforms that put the emphasis on educational quality.

DuPont's Kullman on innovation, education and skills

Bloomberg's Carol Hymowitz interviews Ellen Kullman, CEO and chairman of the board of DuPont, on technology, innovation, education and engineering jobs for women.

Question: What about the educational system?

Kullman: Oh, boy.

Question: Has it let companies like DuPont down?

CEOs tell legislators: To compete, U.S. needs skilled workers

Two BRT-member CEOs highlighted industry's need for skilled employees in a discussion Thursday about how best to create jobs.

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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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