In his third State of the Union address, President Joe Biden reiterated his commitment to supporting American workers by advocating for paid leave, an increase in the federal minimum wage, and easier access to labor organization. Emphasizing the broader challenges faced by workers, Biden also highlighted the importance of affordable child care and elder care solutions.
Acknowledging the positive trends in the labor market, Biden celebrated the creation of approximately 15 million new jobs over the past three years. While recognizing that many of these jobs represent a rebound from the pandemic’s initial impact, the President pointed out the significant job growth among Black, Hispanic, and Asian American communities. Additionally, he noted that unemployment rates are at their lowest in 50 years.
Biden’s address also focused on job creation in sectors like clean energy, infrastructure, and manufacturing, with a special mention of the burgeoning semiconductor manufacturing industry. Given the recent shortage of semiconductors, which are essential for various technologies including cell phones and cars, this sector’s growth represents a vital opportunity for well-paying jobs that don’t necessarily require a college degree. To support this, his administration proposed funding in December aimed at promoting apprenticeships in semiconductor manufacturing.
While Biden seems to be acknowledging the trend towards skills-based hiring and exploring alternative educational pathways, he also stressed the need for making higher education more affordable, signaling a dual approach to equipping Americans for the workforce.
