Throughout President Trump’s first three years in office, America witnessed a historic economic expansion. The unemployment rate reached its lowest level on record for many demographic groups, and companies often struggled to find workers to fill open positions.

The COVID-19 pandemic has temporarily disrupted the livelihoods of American workers and businesses in unprecedented ways. But amid this seismic shift in the landscape of work, the U.S. economy and spirit are proving resilient.

Industries and individuals across the country have shown flexibility through innovation—manufacturers reorienting product lines and processes, service-sector jobs aligning to fortify the frontlines, and educators ensuring learning continues uninterrupted by adopting new online approaches overnight.

The Coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the need to build and expand high-quality pathways that will lead to good jobs and rewarding careers for all Americans, especially those most affected by this crisis. The Trump Administration remains committed to supporting the millions of workers who need assistance right now while building a resilient, agile workforce for the future.

On July 19, 2018, President Trump signed an Executive Order establishing the National Council for the American Worker.

Comprised of senior Administration officials, the National Council for the American Worker 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.

The National Council for the American Worker is Co-Chaired by:

Executive Order on the National Council for the American Worker

The American Workforce Policy Advisory Board

Working directly with the National Council for the American Worker, President Trump’s Executive Order also established the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board.

This Board brings together members from diverse backgrounds including the private sector, educational institutions, and State and local governments. It seeks to bring more Americans into the workforce by improving jobs data transparency and skills-based hiring and training, advancing opportunities for lifelong learning, and promoting multiple pathways to family-sustaining careers.

Co-chaired by Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross and Advisor to the President Ivanka Trump, members of the Advisory 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

Marillyn Hewson, Executive Chairman, Lockheed Martin

Eric Holcomb, Governor, Indiana

Barbara Humpton, President and CEO, Siemens USA

Al Kelly, Chairman and CEO, Visa

Vi Lyles, Mayor, Charlotte, North Carolina

Sean McGarvey, President, North America’s Building Trades Unions

Doug McMillon, President & CEO, Walmart

Michael Piwowar, Executive Director, Milken Institute

Scott Pulsipher, President, Western Governors University

Kim Reynolds, Governor, Iowa

Ginni Rometty, Executive Chairman, IBM

Scott Sanders, Executive Director, National Association of State Workforce Agencies

Robert Smith, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Vista Equity Partners

Julie Sweet, CEO, Accenture

Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., President & CEO, Society for Human Resource Management

Sebastian Thrun, Founder, President, and Executive Chairman, Udacity

Jay Timmons, President & CEO, National Association of Manufacturers

Marianne Wanamaker, Professor, University of Tennessee

Learn more about the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board

On May 19, 2020, the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board issued a National Workforce Recovery Call-to-Action.

This Call-to-Action will:

Expedite American workers’ return to employment and upward mobility by investing in career pathways and implementing skills-based hiring practices

Remove obstacles to the modernization of American education and training to accelerate reskilling and facilitate innovation in workforce development

Build the technological infrastructure necessary for the future of work

Read more about the American Workforce Policy Advisory Board’s Call-to-Action here.

The Pledge to America’s Workers

As part of the National Council for the American Worker, the Trump Administration is asking companies and trade groups throughout the country to sign our Pledge to America’s Workers—committing to expand programs that educate, train, and reskill American workers from high-school age to near-retirement.

Since President Trump signed the Executive Order, more than 430 companies and organizations have signed the Pledge, contributing to over 16 MILLION new education and training opportunities for American students and workers over the next five years.

We call upon employers large and small to join this crucial initiative to create more jobs, strengthen our economy, and restore hopeful futures to countless families.

It’s time to make a Pledge to America’s Workers.

To LEARN ABOUT SIGNING the pledge, email WORKFORCEpledge@who.eop.gov