“Business Roundtable commends President Obama for underscoring the importance of ongoing job training in keeping America’s workforce competitive in the global marketplace,” said William D. Green, chairman & CEO of Accenture and Chair of Business Roundtable’s Education, Innovation and Workforce Initiative. “We welcome the commitments made by the President to America’s workers.

“We recognize the need for a greater collaborative effort between businesses and education institutions – especially community colleges – to ensure that workers are adequately prepared for today’s and tomorrow’s jobs. We also need to institutionalize lifelong learning as an individual and collective imperative.

“Education – particularly workforce development – is a longstanding priority for Business Roundtable. In March 2009, I agreed to chair the newly convened Springboard Project, an independent commission that is developing policy recommendations for a strong 21st century approach to equipping Americans with the knowledge and skills needed for lifelong success in the U.S. workforce.

“Comprised of an unique mix of educators, labor and business leaders, media and government representatives, The Springboard Project’s goal is to create fresh ideas to help Americans – from the age of 18 to the time they leave the workforce – better adapt to the changing economy, access useful information about jobs and careers and get the new skills and ongoing education and training they need.

“The Springboard Project is currently developing actionable recommendations, highlighting what must be done to empower American workers to get the training they need to succeed. We have reached out to the Obama administration and members of Congress and plan to work closely with them to develop and implement these recommendations.”

For more information about The Springboard Project, click here.