Close Skills and Opportunity Gaps

Close Skills and Opportunity Gaps

Close the skills and opportunity gap and give workers the tools to succeed in the 21^st century economy

Problem: The nature of work and the economy are changing. New industries and job functions are being created while the tasks performed and skills needed in existing ones are evolving across all industries and worker skill levels. As the skills needed across a broad spectrum of the labor market evolve, existing models of education do not always meet the needs of those entering the workforce or mid-career workers who need to upskill or change careers.
Solution: Congress must work to prepare those entering the workforce, upskill those who are midcareer, and relaunch those displaced by any disrupting force. The NDC believes Congress should:

Give every American access to the tools and skills needed to succeed in the 21st century economy, including through expanded career and technical education (CTE), apprenticeships, and partnerships between educational institutions and the private-sector
Remove obstacles for Americans to access middle-skill jobs and close the opportunity gap, including by standardizing credentials, reforming hiring practices, and valuing skills over educational attainment
Create a culture of lifelong learning and make it easier for workers to invest in their futures, including by providing financial incentives and tools for upskilling, and modernizing our federal workforce development and worker displacement programs