HouseH.Res. 1607119th Congress
Expressing support for the designation of September 2026 as "National Workforce Development Month".
Full Text
Official text as published. Use Ctrl+F / Cmd+F to search within the document.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1607 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1607
Expressing support for the designation of September 2026 as ``National
Workforce Development Month''.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
October 5, 2026
Ms. Bonamici (for herself and Mr. Guthrie) submitted the following
resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Education and
Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Expressing support for the designation of September 2026 as ``National
Workforce Development Month''.
Whereas support for the education, talent development, and career advancement of
the workforce in the United States, known as ``workforce development'',
is crucial to the ability of the United States to compete in the global
economy;
Whereas collaboration among multiple stakeholders, including State and local
workforce development boards, State and local governments, Governors,
State and local education entities, workforce, and human services
agencies, community colleges, local employers, employment service
providers, and community-based organizations, provides for long-term,
sustainable, and successful workforce development across existing
economic sectors and emerging industries;
Whereas the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in July 2026 that there are
approximately 7,271,000 unfilled jobs in the United States, which
decreases corporate productivity, reduces the local tax base, and
hinders global competitiveness;
Whereas 76 percent of business leaders say greater support for skills
development would help their businesses;
Whereas, in 2024, 39,600,000 Americans quit their jobs, many of whom did so to
try to improve their employment situation;
Whereas, as of August 2026 in the United States--
(1) roughly 7,000,000 individuals are unemployed;
(2) unemployment rates for Black and Hispanic adults are well above the
unemployment rates for White adults; and
(3) workers without postsecondary education and skills development are
more likely to be unemployed;
Whereas, the Bureau of Labor Statistics projects electrician employment to grow
9 percent through 2034, with about 81,000 openings a year on average,
and HVAC-R mechanics and installers to grow 8 percent, with roughly
40,1000 openings a year;
Whereas the World Economic Forum projects that 22 percent of jobs will be
disrupted by 2030, with nearly 40 percent of the skills workers use set
to change over the same period;
Whereas, in 2014, Congress reauthorized the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity
Act (29 U.S.C. 3101 et seq.) with overwhelming bipartisan support in
recognition of the need to strengthen the focus of the United States on
the skills necessary to effectively prepare individuals for employment
in local and regional industries, and this legislation is now due for
reauthorization;
Whereas the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act supports employment, career
exploration, skills development, and supportive services for
approximately 2,700,000 individuals with barriers to employment,
including--
(1) individuals who earn low incomes;
(2) individuals who are out of work, including the long-term
unemployed;
(3) individuals displaced by outsourcing;
(4) individuals living in rural areas or areas with persistently high
unemployment;
(5) individuals who seek employment after incarceration;
(6) individuals looking to learn new skills; and
(7) individuals with disabilities;
Whereas the more than 570 workforce development boards and 2,300 American Job
Centers are a driving force behind growing regional economies by
providing resources and assistance to workers, often through
apprenticeships, work experience opportunities, and on-the-job training,
with over 70 percent of individuals receiving career and training
services becoming employed;
Whereas ongoing State and local implementation of the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act provides unprecedented opportunities to develop the
skills of workers in the United States through access to effective,
quality workforce education, including the development and delivery of
proven strategies such as sector partnerships, career pathways,
integrated education, work-based learning models, and paid internships;
Whereas, in 2024, programs authorized under the Workforce Innovation and
Opportunity Act are estimated to have served 9,112,668 individuals and
have the potential to serve many more if the delivery of such programs
is improved;
Whereas State programs established under the Wagner-Peyser Act (29 U.S.C. 49 et
seq.)--
(1) ensured that nearly 2,560,780 workers, including 127,268 veterans
and 162,085 individuals with disabilities, had access to career services
virtually and through American Job Centers during the 2024 program year;
and
(2) are a foundational part of the workforce development system;
Whereas community colleges and other workforce development providers across the
United States are well situated--
(1) to train the next generation of workers in the United States; and
(2) to address the educational challenges created by emerging
industries and technological advancements;
Whereas participation in a career and technical education (referred to in this
preamble as ``CTE'') program decreases the risk of students dropping out
of high school, and all 50 States and the District of Columbia report
higher graduation rates for CTE students, as compared to other students;
Whereas community and technical colleges operate as open access institutions
serving millions of students annually at a comparatively low cost;
Whereas the Strengthening Career and Technical Education for the 21st Century
Act (Public Law 115-224; 132 Stat. 1563) supports the development and
implementation of high-quality CTE programs that--
(1) combine rigorous academic content with occupational skills; and
(2) serve approximately 12,300,000 high school and college students
across the country;
Whereas there are 727,586 registered apprentices in the United States as of
September 2026, and there is growing and bipartisan support for
expanding quality earn-and-learn strategies to help current and future
workers gain skills and work experience;
Whereas the federally supported workforce system and partner programs--
(1) have helped rebuild the economy of the United States and provide
increased economic opportunities;
(2) provide a pathway into 21st century jobs that support families
while ensuring that businesses in the United States find the skilled
workforce needed to compete in the global economy;
(3) generate tax revenue, increase labor force participation, and
reduce reliance on public assistance;
(4) leverage additional resources from private philanthropy, business,
community foundations, and other public and private sources; and
(5) have the potential to serve many more if the delivery of such
programs is improved; and
Whereas workforce development is crucial to sustaining economic security for
workers in the United States: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) expresses support for the designation of ``National
Workforce Development Month'';
(2) supports Federal initiatives to promote workforce
development; and
(3) acknowledges that workforce development plays a crucial
role in supporting workers, increasing labor force
participation, and growing the economy.
<all>