The report concludes with a series of recommendations to address the challenges of new workforce realities intrinsic in today’s highly productive, dynamic, and knowledge-driven economy. As a complement to two strategic plans developed by the Obama administration — A Strategy for American Innovation and A National Strategic Plan for Advanced Manufacturing — WORK also recommends the development of a National Skills Agenda to help ensure the employability of Americans in an era of rapid change and an increasing demand for skills. Because it is difficult to predict what the jobs of the future might be, the report recommends encouraging real-world skills and experiences that help build a foundation for success in a highly skilled knowledge- and technology-driven global economy.

Council on Competitiveness Report Recommendations for National Skills Agenda