The economy has come roaring back to life under President Donald J. Trump.
In May, unemployment fell to 3.8 percent—its lowest level in nearly 50 years. Optimism among employers, particularly manufacturers and small businesses, has reached historic highs in the 6 months since tax reform became law.
This high-energy growth environment presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The challenge is that companies must find more workers with specific skill sets to fill an increasing number of open jobs. The opportunity is that with more affordable, relevant training, many American workers will now have the chance to move into better jobs that deliver bigger paychecks.
President Trump has established the National Council for the American Worker. Comprised of senior Administration officials, the Council is charged with developing a National strategy for training and retraining the workers needed across high-demand industries. The group will convene voices from the public, private, education, labor, and not-for-profit sectors to enhance employment opportunities for Americans of all ages.
Working directly with the National Council for the American Worker, the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board, brings together members from diverse backgrounds including the private sector, educational institutions, and State and local governments. Co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Ivanka Trump, the members of the Board include:
- Jay Box, President, Kentucky Community and Technical College System
- Walter Bumphus, President & CEO, American Association of Community Colleges
- Jim Clark, President & CEO, Boys & Girls Clubs of America
- Tim Cook, CEO, Apple
- Tom Donohue, CEO, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
- Juanita Duggan, President & CEO, National Federation for Independent Business
- Elizabeth Goettl, President & CEO, Cristo Rey Network
- Marillyn Hewson, Chairman, President, & CEO, Lockheed Martin
- Eric Holcomb, Governor, Indiana
- Barbara Humpton, CEO, Siemens USA
- Al Kelly, CEO, Visa
- Vi Lyles, Mayor, Charlotte, North Carolina
- Bill McDermott, CEO, SAP America
- Sean McGarvey, President, North America’s Building and Trades Unions
- Doug McMillon, President & CEO, Walmart
- Craig Menear, Chairman, President, & CEO, Home Depot
- Michael Piwowar, Executive Director, Milken Institute
- Scott Pulsipher, President, Western Governors University
- Kim Reynolds, Governor, Iowa
- Ginni Rometty, Chairman, President, & CEO, IBM
- Scott Sanders, Executive Director, National Association of State Workforce Agencies
- Johnny Taylor, President & CEO, Society for Human Resource Management
- Jay Timmons, President & CEO, National Association of Manufacturers
- Sheree Utash, President, Wichita State Tech University
- Marianne Wanamaker, Professor, University of Tennessee
Most important, they will focus on getting results. That task begins by asking companies and trade groups across the country to sign a new Pledge to America’s Workers—committing to expand programs that educate, train, and reskill American workers from high-school age to near-retirement.
As the economy booms, it’s time to make a Pledge to America’s Workers.
To LEARN ABOUT SIGNING the pledge, email WORKFORCEpledge@who.eop.gov
