P21 Applauds Bipartisan Action on Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act

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P21

'The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act addresses our nation’s skills gap and highlights the need for continuous learning and skills acquisition for workers throughout their education and careers,' said Dr. Helen Soulé, P21 Executive Director.

Washington, DC (PRWEB) July 22, 2014

P21, the national leader advocating for 21st century readiness for all students, applauds President Obama and congressional leaders in their bipartisan and near-unanimous support of workforce innovation and development. The new Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, H.R. 803, was signed into law on July 22, 2014.

P21, a broad coalition of education, business, nonprofit, and policy leaders, has long called for workforce readiness to be made a policy priority for our nation’s education and job preparation. The success of future workers and our nation’s competitiveness depends on how well they are prepared for the demands of a global and interconnected workforce that requires a different set of skills.

Only 11% of business leaders and 14% of Americans agree that graduating students have the skills and competencies they need to succeed in the workplace (Lumina Foundation/Gallup 2013 poll). Furthermore, 75% of hiring executives say that skills like communication, collaboration, critical thinking, and creativity will become even more important as predictors of success in the next 3-5 years (2012 Critical Skills Survey). More collaborative efforts like the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act are needed to help create an engaged, productive, and equitable workforce for the future.

“The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act addresses our nation’s skills gap and highlights the need for continuous learning and skills acquisition for workers throughout their education and careers,” said Dr. Helen Soulé, P21 Executive Director. “P21 commends Congress and the Administration for acting in a bipartisan manner to strengthen the nation’s workforce and ensuring our workforce remains competitive.”

P21 is committed to ensuring that all students graduate with the skills and knowledge required for postsecondary success in college, career, and citizenship, and supports 21st century learning throughout the learning continuum.

About P21: P21 is a national organization that advocates for 21st century readiness for every student. As the United States continues to compete in a global economy that demands innovation, P21 and its members provide tools and resources to help the U.S. education system keep up by fusing the 3Rs and 4Cs (critical thinking and problem solving, communication, collaboration, and creativity and innovation). While leading districts and schools are already doing this (see Exemplar Program), P21 advocates for local, state and federal policies that support this approach for every school. http://www.p21.org

P21 Members: American Camp Association, Apple Inc., Bahcesehir K-12 Schools, Cable in the Classroom, The College Board, Common Sense Media, Crayola, Destination Imagination, EdLeader21, EF Education, Education Networks of America, Fisher-Price, Ford Motor Company Fund, Gale Cengage Learning, Goddard Systems Inc., Intel Corporation, JP – Inspiring Knowledge, Learning.com, LEGO Education, National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, National Education Association, PBS, Pearson Foundation, People to People Ambassador Programs, Project Management Institute Educational Foundation, U.S. Fund for UNICEF, VIF International Education, and The Walt Disney Company.

P21 Leadership States: Arizona, California, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

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