Workforce Development Policy Recommendations

To preserve America’s global economic leadership, the United States needs a world-class, modern workforce development system that fosters productivity and innovation and helps workers navigate a rapidly changing economy.

America’s workforce has always been the great strength of the U.S. economy. The productivity, innovation and skill of American workers have been critical to our country’s sustained growth and leadership in the global economy.

As the United States traverses a challenging economic period — amid job openings, technological advancements, tougher competition from abroad and lingering effects from the pandemic — Business Roundtable urges Congress to reform existing programs into a modern, effective workforce development system to grow and sustain a skilled workforce.

Policymakers should consider reforms to the workforce development system that ensure that the United States remains globally competitive. They have a critical opportunity to narrow the skills and wealth gaps and respond to employers’ and workers’ evolving needs through policies that create a flexible, efficient and effective system. To do so, reforms to the system should promote bold and innovative workforce strategies and be guided by the following principles:

• Make reskilling and upskilling programs more accessible for workers seeking greater economic mobility
• Invest in community colleges and high-quality, non-traditional training programs
• Modernize the system to ensure a stronger return on investment for workers, employers and taxpayers