For these efforts to succeed, however, we must ensure that U.S. workers have the skills they need to fill the newly created positions, and we must ensure that all workers have equitable access to these opportunities.
JFF strongly supports the president’s call for investments in U.S. productivity and competitiveness. We applaud his efforts to reduce costs for families who are struggling to advance in today’s economy, especially individuals who have faced barriers to opportunity because of their race, ethnicity, or gender. We also welcome his proposed investments in child care and other worker-friendly supports, including proposals to raise the maximum Pell Grant award by more than $2,000 and increase investments in Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority Serving Institutions.
Moreover, we are encouraged to hear the president recognize the need to expand skills-based training through programs like Registered Apprenticeship. We also welcome his willingness to address the urgent need for an increase in skills-based hiring across the country by exploring ways to use federal procurement dollars to encourage employers to hire people based on their skills rather than their educational qualifications alone—and to urge employers to embrace this practice by investing in skills-based hiring research and technical assistance.
Recognizing worker skills rather than simply using degrees as proxies for competency in making hiring decisions will have a positive impact on diversity, equity, and inclusion in the labor market, and it will help employers find highly qualified workers to meet their needs.