Community Update

October 2024

Manufacturing Day 2024

Earlier this month, Manufacturing Day 2024 was celebrated nationwide, highlighting the vital role of manufacturing in our economy and its impact on local communities. Our CEO, Neil Reddy, took the stage at the ACT Workforce Summit to discuss MFG Day and help raise awareness about its significance. Check out his speech here and download his slides here.

American Manufacturing at a Glance

Modernized National Career Clusters^® Framework Released 

After two years of research and engagement across the CTE community, the modernized National Career Clusters Framework was released at Advance CTE's Fall Meeting. The Framework fulfills our vision of an industry-driven, learner-centered, and inclusive roadmap for learners to explore and prepare for meaningful careers across the entire world of work. The release  begins a multi-year process for each state and community to assess systems, determine what parts of the Framework to adopt, and how to implement the Framework to its full potential. That journey is going to look different for everyone. The Framework can be accessed here.

House Education Committee Questions ED’s CTE Regulatory Proposal

Leaders of the House Education and the Workforce Committee issued a formal response to the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) recent regulatory proposal impacting state and local implementation of Perkins V. ED’s proposal would change Perkins V’s state plan requirements and related annual data collections and would result in every state and territory having to submit a new or amended Perkins V plan by 2026. The Committee’s letter formally requests ED rescind these proposals and make use of other tools at the agency’s disposal to ensure compliance with the legislation. Read the press release here.

Agenda for the 2024 Lame Duck Session of Congress

Congress is not in session until after the November election, but when lawmakers return, they will be coming back to a long to-do list.  The first and most important item on the list is government funding. Funding is currently authorized through a continuing resolution (CR) that lasts until December 20, and appropriators are actively negotiating a fiscal year (FY) 2025 spending package.  Not as much progress has been made on the Farm Bill, and some pieces of that bill have technically already expired. Lawmakers in both chambers have expressed concern over the lack of progress, and it is becoming more likely that Congress will need to pass an extension, similar to the extension that was passed in December 2023. In the Senate, the main focus for the chamber will be confirming appointments to the federal judiciary. That will not leave much time to take up legislation that is not considered “must pass.” Legislation that could fall victim to the tight schedule includes a reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA). Read the blog post here.

College Board Adds CTE Courses to AP Program

In response to declining college enrollment and increased interest in career-specific skills, the College Board is piloting new CTE courses within its AP program. The SAT has also been updated to include a career insights tool, offering students guidance on potential career paths based on their test scores. More information here.

Governors are Leveraging New Industrial Policy Opportunities to Strengthen Workforce Development

The Harvard Project on Workforce released a new brief in collaboration with the National Governors Association. Workforce Strategies for New Industrial Policies: Governors’ Emerging Solutions which highlights how Governors are leveraging new industrial policy opportunities to strengthen workforce development and meet labor market needs. The brief highlights their findings, including the challenges Governors are facing and the emerging practices they are deploying to support workforce development under new industrial policies. Check it out here.

Demand for Generative AI Skills Increased 411%

New data from Cornerstone found that the demand for generative AI skills has increased 411% since 2019 across a number of sectors. Additionally, the demand for human skills has also increased significantly: human skills (like responsibility, communication, and interpersonal collaboration) are 2.4 times as in demand as tech skills in America. Despite the demand for AI skills, a new Indeed analysis found that there are no workforce skills that generative AI is “very likely” to completely replace; only 3% of the 2,800 skills assessed were ‘likely’ to be replaced by AI in the coming years. Learn more.

Center on Education and the Workforce Releases Report, Data Tool on Credential Shortages, and High-wage Occupations

Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) released a report and data tool concerning credential shortages and high-wage, middle-skills occupations. The report concludes that many providers will need to more than double the number of credentials they award to avoid local shortages. Access the report.

Bloomberg: “How America's Factory Whisperer Chooses the Perfect Location”

Didi Caldwell, often called “America’s Factory Whisperer,” leads Global Location Strategies and evaluates up to 850 data points to find the ideal sites for major industrial projects. From battery plants to semiconductor facilities, Caldwell is at the forefront of the U.S. manufacturing resurgence, guiding billions in investments. Explore how she navigates global shifts and local nuances to shape the future of American industry.