The Career Opportunity Act

A nation's greatest economic resource is not its factories, technology, or natural resources. It is the knowledge, skills, and creativity of its people. When Americans have opportunities to develop new skills, build successful careers, and adapt to changing industries, businesses become more productive, wages grow, and the entire economy becomes stronger.

Career development is not simply an individual responsibility. It is a national investment that benefits workers, employers, and future generations alike.

America's career development system has become fragmented and difficult to navigate. Often people struggle to afford education or career training, while employers have difficulty finding workers with the skills they need. Practical experience is often undervalued, unnecessary degree requirements block qualified applicants, occupational licensing makes it difficult to move between states, and workers frequently need new skills as technology changes throughout their careers.

Public investment is also too often measured by enrollment rather than long-term career success, leaving students with limited information about which education and training pathways produce the best outcomes. The result is a system that too often rewards credentials instead of opportunity and institutions instead of people.

This act treats career development as a lifelong investment rather than a one-time event. It establishes Career Opportunity Accounts that help Americans invest in education and training throughout their working lives, expands paid Earn While You Learn opportunities, promotes skills-first hiring, measures public investment using long-term career outcomes, and removes unnecessary licensing barriers that prevent qualified workers from pursuing new opportunities.

The goal is to ensure that every American has the opportunity to build valuable skills, pursue productive careers, and continue growing throughout a changing economy.