Education and a Competitive Workforce

by Arthur J. Rothkopf

In business today, no competition is tougher than the global race for talent. In every industry, every job sector, and every part of the world, employers are asking the same question: How are we going to find, train, and retain highly-skilled workers?

Ninety percent of the fastest-growing jobs in America require some postsecondary education. Yet, a third of our nation's students do not finish high school in four years, and among those who do graduate, up to half lack the advanced literacy and math skills they need to succeed in college and the workforce.

Further, given the growing demand for flexible, highly-skilled employees in all sectors of the economy, not even the most experienced workers can afford to rely on existing skills. To remain competitive, businesses must invest not just in the preparation and recruitment of new talent but also the development of workers at all stages of their careers.

So, what is the business community doing to create modern, effective schools that get the results we all want? The Chamber is pursuing an integrated, multifaceted approach that includes state and federal legislation, engaging in public-private partnerships, working with like-minded allies, and using our bully pulpit to focus attention on these issues.

On the Hill, we are working with our Business Coalition for Student Achievement to improve and renew the No Child Left Behind Act and we are lobbying for reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. We helped win passage of the America COMPETES Act, which authorizes $40 billion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics research and education. We are now actively working to ensure funding is appropriated to allow us to meet the growing need for well-trained engineers and scientists.

Across the country we are forming strategic partnerships with state and local chambers--as well as community and career colleges--to ensure that our education system works in tandem with the employer community. And we've reorganized and expanded our institutional assets focused on educating and training a superior workforce.

To continue to drive the debate on education and workforce training reforms, the Chamber and its Institute for a Competitive Workforce will host its third annual Education and Workforce Summit in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania October 20 -22, 2008. The Summit will be opened by Governor Rendell of Pennsylvania, we have invited the presidential candidates to present their platforms on education and adult training initiatives.

America requires a world-class education system. Students deserve it, parents demand it, and businesses need it to compete and win in the global economy. Education is a matter of critical urgency for our country, and business intends to lead on this issue.

Comments

[ChamberPost]

The Fordham report warrants careful consideration. The accountability era has clearly benefitted thousands of children who were failed by the education system in the past. We will continue to take new information into consideration as we pursue our efforts to improve education in America.

-Institute for a Competitive Workforce

[Quyen Arana]

The Chamber obviously supports NCLB. What is your response to the Fordham Institute's report on High-Schieving Students in the Era of NCLB?