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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.

Task Force on the Future of American Innovation Letter to Senators Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell

As the 110th Congress draws to a close, America’s leading businesses, scientific organizations, and universities urge you to fully fund the America COMPETES Act in FY 2009.

Letter to Speaker Pelosi and Minority Leader Boehner on the America COMPETES Act

As the 110th Congress draws to a close, America’s leading businesses, scientific organizations, and universities urge you to fully fund the America COMPETES Act in FY 2009.

CompeteAmerica Letter to Congress

Congress has an opportunity before it adjourns to help advance U.S. innovation leadership by enacting a modest reform in our nation’s permanent resident (“green card”) program.

Business Coalition for Student Achievement Letter to Senators McCain and Obama

The Honorable John McCain
John McCain 2008
P.O. Box 16118
Arlington, VA 22215

The Honorable Barack Obama
Obama for America
P.O. Box 8102
Chicago, IL 60680

Dear Senators McCain and Obama:

2008 TAP Progress Report

In July 2005, 15 of America’s most prominent business organizations1 joined together to express their deep concern about the ability of the United States to sustain its scientific and technological leadership in a world where newly energized foreign competitors are investing in the capacity for innovation — the key driver of productivity and economic growth in advanced economies.

The Washington Post: To Compete Globally, Educate Locally

Now more than ever, the U.S. labor market needs young men and women with more than a high school education. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that 80 percent of the fastest-growing jobs in the United States require a post-secondary degree or tr

John Castellani Statement Before the Committee on Education and Labor

Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member McKeon, Members of the Committee. Good morning. I am John Castellani, President of Business Roundtable.

AMERICA 21: A New Approach To The 21st Century Workforce

The United States cannot succeed in the international economy without a welleducated, well-trained workforce. The United States needs a strong education system and lifelong learning opportunities to prepare today’s workers as well as the next generation of workers for the ever-changing economy.

Prospering Together

America faces unprecedented competitive challenges in the world economy. These uncertain times are creating anxiety about the future for some American citizens, communities and companies. To succeed in this new reality and benefit from expanded economic opportunity, American workers need programs to develop and maintain the skills needed for higher-skilled service and manufacturing jobs that increasingly characterize the U.S. economy in the 21st century.

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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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