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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 and HR Policy Association Launch E-Training

Business Roundtable and HR Policy Association today announced the release of JobSTART 101: Smart Tips and Real-World Training, an online course for college students and recent graduates, which introduces both the professional skills necessary for entry-level employees to succeed in the workplace and the challenges and expectations they will face. Accenture, a member of both organizations, provided instructional design, content and program management expertise for the course.

Letter from TFIA and TAP to Senate on America COMPETES

We recognize the dire fiscal challenges facing the nation and the difficult choices on federal spending that policymakers must make.

Business Roundtable Highlights Need for Increased Focus on Education

More than 85 Business Roundtable member CEOs spent the day discussing business’ involvement in education, focusing on the important role education plays in providing a strong foundation for our nation’s competiveness and the creation of better, higher paying jobs.

Delivering Innovation: Education

Innovation is the lifeblood of business and the fuel of progress. Each day, companies across America - led by their CEOs - innovate to create breakthrough products, services, processesand solutions to the world's most difficult challenges.

Randall L. Stephenson, AT&T Inc.

Delivering Innovation tells those stories of innovative thinking at America's leading companies.

TAP Coalition America COMPETES Senate Letter

We, the undersigned U.S. companies and business organizations represented by the Tapping America’s Potential (TAP) Coalition, strongly support reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act.

America COMPETES Reauthorization Letter

America’s innovation system is a key component of U.S. national strength. Accordingly, Business Roundtable strongly supports reauthorization of the America COMPETES Act.

BRT Commends Senate Appropriations

Business Roundtable today praised the Senate Committee on Appropriations for approving supplemental funding for science and engineering research and math and science education.

BRT Statement on President Obama’s Announcement on Job Training and Community Colleges

Business Roundtable today will convene CEOs, Members of Congress and leaders of community colleges to focus on the critical role community colleges must play in enhancing American competitiveness. Their role, from improving worker training to tapping and shaping the next generation of talent, is even more an imperative in today's frigile and competitive economy.

Vote YES on H.R. 5325, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010

May 19, 2010

To Members of the House of Representatives:

Vote YES on H.R. 5325, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010

On behalf of the members of Business Roundtable, chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies with nearly $6 trillion in annual revenues and more than 12 million employees, I urge you to protect American jobs and preserve U.S. economic and technological leadership by voting YES on H.R. 5325, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.

Vote YES on H.R. 5325, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010

On behalf of the members of Business Roundtable, chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies with nearly $6 trillion in annual revenues and more than 12 million employees, I urge you to protect American jobs and preserve U.S. economic and technological leadership by voting YES on H.R. 5325, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010.

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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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