Policy Resolution LWD-18-30

WHEREAS, it is the goal of the National Black Caucus of State Legislators to continue to promote policies on the national, state, and local levels that produce fair and equal outcomes for people of color and women in the workplace;

WHEREAS, research has shown the U.S. and global economies increasingly demand that employees have a post-secondary degree or industry-recognized credentials;

WHEREAS, research shows that by 2020, 65 percent of all jobs will require bachelor’s or associate’s degrees or some other education beyond high school, particularly in the fastest growing occupations—science, technology, engineering, mathematics, healthcare, and community service;

WHEREAS, the U.S. economy demands that workers possess increasing levels of knowledge, skills, and abilities that are best acquired through postsecondary education in part due to the fact that jobs which previously did not require higher education now require different or heightened skill levels;

WHEREAS, federal funding to states and discretionary grants for the improvement of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs is essential to ensuring that the American workforce meets the current and demand for workers with post-secondary degrees or industry-recognized credentials;

WHEREAS, The Perkins Act provides almost $1.3 billion annually to career and technical education programs in all 50 states until 2016;

WHEREAS, there is a greater need for the supply of skills and education to align with the needs of employers;

WHEREAS, there is a greater need for stronger collaboration among secondary and postsecondary institutions, employers, and industry partners;

WHEREAS, there is a greater need for meaningful accountability to improve academic, and employment outcomes for students; and

WHEREAS, there is a greater need for state and local engagement in the development and replication of innovative career and technical education models.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the National Black Caucus of State Legislators support the increased funding for the improvement and development of secondary and postsecondary career and technical education programs; and

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the President of the United States, Vice President of the United States, members of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, United States Secretary of Labor, and other federal and state government officials as appropriate.

• SPONSOR(s): Senator Ronald L. Rice (NJ), Representative Gilda Cobb-Hunter (SC), Senator Anastasia Pittman (OK), and Delegate Angela Angel (MD)
• Committee of Jurisdiction: Labor and Workforce Development Policy Committee
• Certified by Committee Chair(s): Senator Ron Rice (NJ) and Senator Will Smith (MD)
• Ratified in Plenary Session: Ratification Date is December 2, 2017
• Ratification is certified by: Representative Gregory W. Porter (IN), President