While the current crisis has exposed and exacerbated longstanding inequities in U.S. society, it has also presented the country with an unprecedented opportunity to lay the foundation for a more equitable future for all, Flynn said.
“While we may hope this is a once-in-a-lifetime crisis, the pandemic has exposed how critical it is to be prepared for the worst while keeping up with the rapid pace of change in our economy,” Flynn said.
You can watch Flynn’s testimony here.
Flynn led off the testimony of four witnesses who appeared before the HELP Committee on April 20, setting the stage with her perspective as head of a national nonprofit whose mission is economic advancement for all. Other witnesses included Scott Ralls, president of Wake Technical Community College in Raleigh, North Carolina, a member of JFF’s Policy Leadership Trust.
For the country to achieve a full and equitable recovery, Flynn said, we must invest in postsecondary education, skills training, and workforce development programs that provide everyone with opportunities to find work in today’s turbulent economy and remain competitive in the labor market of the future. We also need a workforce development system capable of meeting the needs of diverse populations, including workers in transition and young people who are disconnected from school and work.