Increasing economic growth through work force education

Earlier this month, I introduced the Adult Education and Economic Growth Act of 2009.

With Virginia’s changing economy and a labor market growing faster than the national average, my proposal focuses on the need to reform and increase investment in adult education, job training and other work force programs necessary to build a 21st century work force.

It is critical that our nation strengthen existing programs of adult education in order to compete in the current global job market. According to the Workforce Alliance, 80 percent of jobs in today’s economy require some education beyond a high school degree. Yet there are eight million adults in the work force who have low literacy, limited English proficiency or lack educational credentials beyond high school.

One of the largest barriers to economic growth in many communities is the shortage of a skilled work force, particularly those with entry-level skills. The American labor market has changed dramatically with the advent of new technology and the loss of jobs in the manufacturing sector. At the same time, our adult education system, which should effectively prepare our lower-skilled workers to meet the demands of this shifting economy, has not kept pace. It is critical that we increase the number of individuals who obtain a high school diploma and postsecondary education.

For the past several years, Virginia has been ranked by Forbes.com and CNBC as the top state to do business — with the implementation of innovative initiatives to expand and connect education and work force development initiatives. Despite the commonwealth’s record of excellence, there are regions of the state in need of greater investment. The Northern Virginia and Central Virginia work forces have higher than average education levels, higher incomes and better employment opportunities than those in other regions. However, in Eastern, Southside, Southwest and West Central areas of Virginia, more than 25 percent of individuals who are 25 years and older lack high school diplomas. Access to education in these communities is paramount to raise the quality of life and to promote economic growth.

The return on investment in education benefits not only the individual, but also results in less expenditures for social services such as welfare benefits and unemployment compensation, and increases tax revenue for state and local governments.

With so many workers who are unemployed or underemployed, it is clear that we should invest in the training or re-training of American workers to fill this growing gap.

My legislation begins the vital task of addressing these problems. It takes a two-pronged approach to strengthen our nation’s work force. First, we want to build “on ramps” for American workers who need new skills and a better education in order to improve their lives. Just as importantly, we want to encourage employers to help their employees, by offering tax credits to businesses that invest in their employees. Our government has long provided employers with limited tax credits when they help their employees go to college or graduate school. It is basic logic and in the national interest, that we provide similar incentives for fundamental adult education.

This bill authorizes a modest $500 million increase in funding nationwide to invigorate state and local adult education programs and to bolster the number of adults with a high school diploma. For individuals who may have taken a different path earlier in life and who now find themselves eager to go back to school and receive additional job training and skills, this legislation provides opportunities to get back on track.

All of this is relevant to my longstanding personal goal of promoting basic economic fairness in our society. I look forward to moving this initiative forward in the Congress, and I believe our nation’s work force and local communities will be stronger for it.

• Webb represents Virginia in the United States Senate.