The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“RECOGNIZING YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS” mentioning the U.S. Dept of Labor was published in the House of Representatives section on pages H486-H487 on Jan. 18, 2018.
The Department provides billions in unemployment insurance, which peaked around 2011 though spending had declined before the pandemic. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, claimed the Department funds "ineffective and duplicative services" and overregulates the workplace.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
RECOGNIZING YOUTH ENTREPRENEURS
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Marshall) for 5 minutes.
Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, today, I rise to recognize the nonprofit Youth Entrepreneurs for their commitment to preparing our students to meet the demands of today's workforce. This program provides a taste of the workforce in a variety of career paths for our emerging leaders.
Youth Entrepreneurs was started in 1991, in Wichita, Kansas, with the goal to give young adults a foundation of knowledge, skills, and values for today's workplace. High school students who participate in the Youth Entrepreneurship Program receive a preparation course that covers the ins-and-outs of a variety of career fields and business etiquette.
After students complete the class, they are sent to work at a business that matches their interest. The students are able to apply their learning from the classroom at the company they are paired with.
For 26 years, this nonprofit has been dedicated to education and the success of our youth. Today, I want to make sure they know that their hard work has not gone unnoticed. Personally, I have seen and heard the success stories from these young adults, including my own godson, Patrick, who has participated in this organization.
The program has expanded to 10 other States and graduated thousands of students. More than 80 percent of the participants say they want to attend college, and 60 percent of the students who have completed the requirements have either started their own business or desire to one day.
I am proud of programs like Youth Entrepreneurs that are working to give our young adults a pathway for success. Even with unemployment at an all-time record low in Kansas, there are still 50,000 open jobs in our State. It is important that our students have access to organizations like Youth Entrepreneurs so that we can prepare Kansans to meet these high employment demands.
Kansas Meeting STEM Demands
Mr. MARSHALL. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss an industry that presents endless opportunities for America's workforce. As our Nation continues to advance technologically, it is imperative that our youth have the skills necessary to remain competitive in the workforce.
Kansas is experiencing record employment across the State; however, one industry faces an increasingly high demand for skilled workers. Today, Kansas has more than 2,500 open computer science jobs, which is two times higher than the average State's demand. This year alone, the United States Department of Labor predicts employers will be unable to fill nearly 2.5 million job openings in STEM-related--or Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math--professions.
Last week, I met with the students from the North Central Kansas Technical College. NCKTC is ranked third in the Nation in job placement in tech-related fields. I am so proud to see colleges throughout my district working hard to meet the challenges that our labor force is facing today by offering more STEM-based curricula.
Northwest Kansas Technical College offers programs and certification courses in computer science and coding, while Hutchinson Community College's Business and Industry Institute, also in my district, incorporates computer and science technology into their training programs.
Emporia State University recognizes our future by offering STEM-
concentration classes for kindergarten through sixth-grade teachers. This program for teachers ensures that our youth will get a greater understanding of these technical skills at a younger age and ultimately be better equipped for future jobs in the STEM industry.
It is important that we recognize these colleges' efforts and their computer science initiatives that will prepare students for success in these growing career fields.
As a Member of Congress, I always strive to create opportunities for my constituents back home, but we must also take advantage of the opportunities at our doorstep. It is imperative that we continue to place a focus on STEM education. As computer science becomes a skill utilized in almost every industry, we must ensure our children are well prepared to meet these demands.
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