The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that between 2002 and
2012, the U.S. will need approximately one million skilled workers to
fill construction jobs. These jobs pay well, are in demand, require a
high skill level, and offer workers a stable future. The President
believes that skilled trades will play a significant role in building
America's future, and the United States has the skills and talent to
fill the growing number of jobs available in the construction
industry.
Skills to Build. The Department of Labor, in partnership with
the National Association of Home Builders, the Construction
Industry Round Table, and the National Heavy and Highway Alliance
and its affiliated international unions, is pursuing the Skills
to Build America's Future initiative, which promotes careers in
the skilled trades by educating young people and workers in
transition about available opportunities.
Promoting Skilled Trades
President Bush's initiatives in secondary education and job
training are working to strengthen workers' abilities to get jobs in
many high-paying, high-growth industries - including the skilled
trades. The President believes the skilled trades are and will
continue to be an important driver of job growth in America, and the
Federal government can help ensure access to the skills workers need to
fill those jobs - through job training partnerships between industries
and community colleges, and strengthening education.
High Growth Job Training Initiative. Since 2002, the Department
of Labor has directed more than $92 million to 47 public-private
partnerships in which growing industries work with community
colleges and others to ensure that workers get needed skills to
compete in emerging fields like biotechnology and high-tech
manufacturing.
Through High Growth Job Training partnerships and other
industry outreach, the Bush Administration is working to
replicate the apprenticeship model of academic instruction
coupled with on-the-job training and mentoring that has
traditionally been used by the skilled trades, so other
industries can benefit from this established training model.
Jobs for the 21st Century. Through his Jobs for the 21st Century
initiative, the President seeks to better prepare workers for
jobs in the new millennium by improving high school education and
strengthening post-secondary education and job training, with
over $500 million in new funding for education and job training.
Improving High School Education: Occupations in the skilled
trades require a strong math and science foundation. The
President's plan will improve the quality of education at our
Nation's high schools and better prepare students for success
in higher education and the job market, through measures that
include:
Increased funding for the Mathematics and Science
Partnership Program to provide extra help to middle and
high school students who fall behind in math with an
additional $120 million in the President's FY 2005 budget.
The President's budget also supports making available
nationwide the State Scholars program, which encourages
high school students to take more rigorous courses to
prepare them for college and the workplace; and
Incentives
to invite math and science professionals from the private
sector to teach part-time in our high schools, and $227
million in the FY 2005 budget in loan forgiveness for math,
science, and special education teachers in low-income
schools.
Strengthening Access to Post-Secondary Education
and Job Training: The President's plan will expand opportunities
for workers to access post-secondary education to obtain job
training and skills to compete in the new economy through
Community-based Job Training Grants. The President has proposed
$250 million in the FY 2005 budget to fund training programs in
community and technical colleges that are linked with local
employers looking for more skilled workers.
Advancing Apprenticeship. The demands of the 21st century global
economy will require a highly skilled workforce with a strong
academic foundation and occupational skills provided through
high-quality education and training programs. Apprenticeship
offers this time-tested combination of classroom instruction and
on-the-job training and mentoring. The construction and
manufacturing industries have used apprenticeship for decades to
grow their highly trained, highly skilled workforces to keep pace
with demand, and other industries have taken notice. Today,
apprenticeship is being embraced by a wider array of employers,
and has expanded to over 850 occupational areas to meet the needs
of numerous industries including healthcare, social services,
information technology, and nursing.