Thank You mr.. President. Secretary. Acosta. At, the White House this, was the first interagency. Meeting, of the National Council for the American worker it. Was incredibly. Productive we, talked about obviously. The, booming. And robust economy, that has created unprecedented. Opportunity, and, really. Creating, tremendous potential, for so many who have been on the sidelines of the economy, and now entering the workforce and. We want to ensure that they're, equipped with, the skills and the training needed. To thrive in our modern economy so, we are, working. Towards, developing, what was in your, executive. Order which is a national, workforce strategy the, most, critical. Ways that we're doing that is leveraging, data to, create transparency. Around, educational. Outcomes to. Ensure, that we're. Making. Available the, data so that people, know where. The. Vacant jobs are located where. The. Best, use of their, time is spent to. Ensure that they're getting the skills and credentials that. Will enable, them to secure. A family sustaining job, and then of course working, with the private sector to. Ensure that they step up to the plate and join this effort and. Partner, with us to. Invest in in their own workforces, so since, launch of this initiative we have done, in over a hundred companies to. Step up and sign our pledge to America's, workers and commit. To Reese, killing, over. 4.3. Million, American. Workers and offering. Them new jobs so we're very excited about this initiative it's just getting started and this. Was a great kickoff meetings. So thank you for being here and thank you for your engagement, to. Ensuring, that all, Americans, have an opportunity. To thrive and this, booming economy. Meeting. Of the National, Council for. The American, worker we've done some incredible numbers, and we'll, have some of the folks speaking about that in a little while but numbers. That nobody thought at least this quickly we've been here less than two years and, nobody.
Can Believe the numbers they're seeing a lot of it's the spirit of the country you look at all. Of the, polling. Coming out people are more, optimistic about our country, and about. Business than they have been in many many years in some cases since, the beginning of these polls I also, want to take a moment to send our thoughts. To, the incredible, people of North Carolina South, Carolina Virginia. And, everyone else. Affected, by Hurricane. Florence. The. Federal government has dispatched nearly. 20,000. Federal, and military personnel, to assist in, the, response and, recovery effort. These are incredible, people they're. Really putting their lives at stake and, they're putting their lives on the line every, single day they're out there for, many. Many hours out. Of a 24 hour, day they're. Working hard every, relevant, federal resource, is Marshall, to help those in need many. Lives have been saved already. You've. Been covering it actually, very fairly but the job they're doing is incredible, I just want to finish, that by saying our administration. Is in constant contact with, local, and state authorities and, we will not rest until that job is done and done perfectly, I just. Want to thank all of the, first. Responders, the, FEMA, folks and, everybody, else involved including, law enforcement they have been incredible, and it's a very very dangerous situation you. Have collapses. You have slides. You, have things that are happening that are very. Scary that's, why all of a sudden they're getting calls from people that, we, wish they didn't stay but they stayed and they're. Going into they're saving their lives a lot of lives have been saved so I want to thank, very. Very much we appreciate it we're. Here today to talk about Workforce, Development, and I'd like to begin by thanking Ivanka. And all of the folks around this table who. Have worked tirelessly, in. The devotion, of ensuring, that no American, worker is going to be left behind. Our. Country, is doing better. Possibly. That we can say in, an economic, front than it's ever done before we. Don't want to leave workers, behind and that won't happen most. Are going. With. It and doing really well, nobody's. Going to be left behind I also want to thank secretary. Wilbur Ross secretary. Alix Acosta, director. Mick Mulvaney and administrator. Linda, McMahon, they. Have been working along with Ivanka, and a whole group of people a large group of people on. Workforce, Development and it's. Really, making a big big difference because we have companies, moving. Into our country like probably, never, before, in. Many cases they're moving back they left years ago and they're coming back because. They all want a part of the action our country is hot and it's successful, and people want to be here we've.
Created More than 4 million jobs since the election, with more than 200,000. Jobs created. Just last month alone, more. Americans, are employed than ever before, in our country in the history of our country today. As of today we have more people working than they have ever had working, before, middle. Class income, reached its all-time high. That just came out that number, it. And, it reached it by a lot. Jobless. Claims are. At their lowest level, in nearly 50, years almost. 3.9. Million Americans, have been lifted off food stamps since. The election, that's. A big beautiful. Number. There are a record, number of job openings and, the. Number of workers. Quitting, their current jobs has hit an all-time high now, that doesn't sound good but actually it is good they're leaving jobs because they're getting better jobs and they're getting more money so. That's a statistic, Linda that I wouldn't say sounds great but it is great they're, all looking, for better jobs they're going up and they're getting more money before, my election less than half of the manufactures, were optimistic, about the future, today. So think, of that less than half meaning. They, weren't very optimistic. Today's. Number, is exactly 95%. And, I expect that's going to go higher - that's. A big big number because people. Go out and they invest because they're optimistic about our. Country, and that means jobs that it means a lot of other things, thanks. To the, work of everybody. Around this room. Employers. Across the country have taken our pledge to American, workers and they've, committed to training more than 4.2. Million American, workers for. American, jobs we have so many companies, that are. Just. Incredible. What they're doing the money they're spending of the training programs are incredible, frankly you wouldn't be able to do it through government, the quality, of training you, wouldn't be able to do it as a government, program these companies are really something. And you know the list of company they're. Brilliant. Aswer Lynne how our world and in our country and, I want, to thank them a. Couple, of them have been, picking up training, for over, 900,000. People it's. Really something, to say the. Task of the council, is to develop a national strategy, to ensure that all American, students, and workers have access to affordable. Results-driven. Education. Preparing. Them to fill the jobs of the future and to make a great, great, living to. Make frankly, more money than they've ever made before and to enjoy their job more than they've ever done before it's. Very exciting. In this, mission we are partnering, with the private sector to identify, the most innovative. On-the-job, training programs, that will provide our citizens with the skills that they, need to thrive and to grow, we. Believe in vocational. Education very. Important word I've asked to be to, have that word brought back when. I was young I remember seeing schools, they. Were called vocational, schools, where people that had great talent at. Mechanical. Things fixing, engines and laying.
Brick And plumbing. And electricity, and electric. These were. Incredibly. Talented people, people. Going to college with me didn't have their talent, for that and, never, would have their talent, for that so vocational, is very important, and these are some of the best jobs in our country so. We believe in vocational, education we. Believe in lifelong learning, and. We believe in saving taxpayer, dollars, while producing, greater results, for our workers that is having, the private sector, trained. Millions. And millions of people for, future, jobs because it's different jobs are much different today than they, were even 10 years ago, so. I want to thank every member of the National, Council for the, American worker. Really. A great group of people and I want to thank you very much for being here and working so hard together we will build the greatest vocational. Programs, so. That American, workers can follow their dreams earn a great living and, enjoy. A truly, rewarding, career. I just want to say that so, many companies are coming back and many. Of these companies have agreed to train, their. Worker so, that we don't even have to get government, involved. Other than making, the process a little bit easier a little bit better. It's. A really great thing to see millions. And millions of jobs and these are highly, skilled jobs in many cases, so I want, to thank you all I think I might just go around and ask a couple of the folks. At. The table, where. Things are going where they see it we have a tremendously. Talented guy, Kevin, Hassett who. Has, along, with me predicted, where. We'd be now and. As. You, know we hit 4.1 GDP, and that was adjusted, upward, to, 4.2. And I. Think we're going to have a lot of great quarters, hopefully. Even, much. Higher than that but. If we would have said during the campaign that we were going to be in the floor as people would have sort of smiled or laughed or, said. We're not you. Know we must be kidding if you look at where, we were we. Were really at one and we were heading down I, think we would have been - four or five because. That's where we were we loosened up regulations. We. Have better regulations but, and frankly, I think in waise Kevin they're tougher, than they were but. You don't have to go through ten years of a process, and then find out you can or can't do something so. It's been a great, thing Kevin could you just say a few words about the economy, sure sir and, I think that one way to think about the labor market right now is that in January, of 2017, the, Congressional, Budget Office forecasted. How many jobs we would make this year just to hear ahead and so, far this year were coming in at about double that pace and I think that the sense of this table, is that presents us with a historic, opportunity because. The marginalized, person. The person who was discouraged, the person was forgotten that. You spoke to in the campaign, if you give them skills in a weak economy they don't necessarily get a job but if we can get them skills now then, we can reconnect them to the labour force into society, and that's why our, job here is urgent. And we're, really pursuing it with an amount of bigger that even a bunch of my staff are out of a vocational school today, to.
Study This so that we can do a better job sir and the economic, numbers are even, much better than we thought. We're. Gonna have to revise the part forecast there's the next question we don't mind just, don't revise it down, I'd. Like to ask Alex, Acosta. Secretary, of Labor to say a few words but mr.. President thank you to to follow on what Kevin, mentioned, I was looking at the Federal Reserve Bank of Atlanta. Statistics. Recently and they are predicting, for the third quarter an even stronger. GDP. Growth rate than the second quarter and that's a real testament, to how strong this economy, is you've. Uh you've asked, us to focus on jobs more jobs and even more jobs and, since the election, this. Economy, has created four, million. You met jobs, and that's that's incredible. We're, around this table here because for the first time since we've kept this data we. Have had not for one month or two months but, for five months, in a row more. Open jobs and we have individuals, looking for jobs and so we have this skills down and. This everyone, here is focused, on how to empower, the American, worker with. The skills, needed for for, this modern economy, for, the jobs that are being created out there every day you. Asked us and then you formed a task force on apprenticeships, that task. Force did its work delivered, the report to you in six, months in May those. Recommendations have, been largely implement, - in July and, the. The applications. For these new industry, recognized apprenticeships, are now pending notice, in common so, far since your election, this. Economy, has created more, than. 350,000. New apprenticeships. And with. The new approach, to apprenticeships. That number is only going to increase but, there's so many other jobs. Skills that this group is working on it's very exciting, Thank You mr. president and Alex I think importantly, wages. For the first time in many many years wages. Are going up and people, are, able to make. More money doing a job that they like because they have options now they have they'll, look at five or six or ten jobs and they'll take the one they like and they'll make more money not just the money thing but they'll also. Get, paid more that's the first time in many years, could you just mention the. Association. Health, plans that we're doing - because I think it's very important that's right under a new rule chambers. Of commerce and industry associations. Can now come together and, offer, health, insurance to. Their members, employees. And this, is transformative, so, spent so many small businesses, or smaller businesses, really, couldn't afford to offer health care it, was too complicated the, economies, of scale weren't there and. So. Currently. Right, now those. Associations. And chambers can, offer health, care and if, you look around the nation you've seen chambers. Of commerce from Texas, to Nevada to, Illinois, come. Together and say we want to provide. Our members an. Opportunity, to offer health care to their employees you've. Also seen industry, associations, like the National Restaurant Association, come. Together and say any, restaurant. In the nation any small restaurant, a nation that wants to offer health care to its employees to now do it through the National Restaurant Association, that.
Is Transforming. It's. Working out to be a very big deal and they're getting great great health care at a very low cost and. You're. Coming out with another plan very soon that's going to be similar one other thing as. You know we have the remnants of Obamacare. And, one of the things that I'm very proud of is that we. Get rid of the individual, mandate which was a disaster, for Obamacare, and disaster, for people where you had to pay a lot of money for the privilege of not having, to pay for that health, insurance and health care but. The thing that I really. Am. Very happy, to announce is, that the rates are far lower, than they would have been under the previous administration or. Under. A Democrat, at administration, were holding the rates down so. That. Remnant, is being, able to remnant of Obamacare. Is, much. Less expensive, than people thought they, were going up before I got here at a hundred and eighteen percent in some cases 150. Percent hundred and sixty percent, 55, percent we, have that we have the percentage. Going up at a much lower, level because we're managing it very very, carefully so we're very proud of that Linda. McMahon could you say a few words please thank. You well, here we are here today talking about you know workforce and I'm. Really on the ground visiting, with small businesses, all over the country and one of the greatest. Needs they have today, not only big business, but small business is a skilled workforce so. We've been talking about different programs the apprenticeship, program for, one it's been really, big but, you know small businesses, a lot. Of times do things on their own to start programs, they don't even realize that it has a name like, for instance there, was a small landscaper, that I visited recently and, he is going to high schools and he is talking to juniors. And seniors in the high school about, the advantages, of having their own business, but of also how you can. Get to having your own business for instance he talked about how he drove, a dump, truck when, he was in high school because, he worked after. School to, build a business so, going. Through the schools at different, levels, K, through 12 high schools working, in these very sophisticated, apprenticeship. Programs, that we're seeing Toyota. United, Technologies and. Other companies, putting with, those with. You, know with those community, colleges all. Of it is adding and the, pledge evanka. When I'm going, around and talking to small businesses, they'll, sign the pledge for, one, to two Reis killing, or retraining, by, employees. And boy when you start adding that up around. The country for 30 million, small, businesses, that, can have an incredible impact. Some of the best examples, we see is when the, employers, reach in to the vocational, schools and reach into the high schools and, develop. Curriculums, and then employ the. Student, right, on the other end and and one, of the things we're seeing just across almost all populations. Is the lowest unemployment rates, in this country's history so. We just hit the lowest youth unemployment, rate in the history of America, we hit the lowest unemployment rate, for african-americans in, the history of this country the lowest Hispanic, unemployment, rate in the, history of this country the lowest unemployment rate, for women in 65, years in the month of June alone. 600,000. Americans, came, off the sidelines, and entered, a reentered, our workforce, so, there's so much opportunity so, engaging. American. Students and workers at, different. Moments, in the life cycle whether it's directly, in high school and having employers reach in or later, in their career and re-skilling, them for the jobs of the future and. Enabling, them to to. Secure better jobs in the modern economy represents. Just a tremendous, opportunity and one of the things we're looking at and we, were talking about with director, Mulvaney is there, are a lot of government, funds that, are going towards, these initiatives that, are not being spent efficiently and don't. Have much accountability, so, one of the goals of, this council is, creating, that accountability, and making sure that every dollar that's spent of, taxpayer, money is being.
Measured And. Is, achieving. The end result that we desire and. Ultimately. Working more with the private sector to make them take on this mission to. Ensure that, that, they're doing the work of training. Our workers. Say, a bunch of different things mr. president let's start to go back to what Kevin talked about sort of hard to start, know, where to start to talk about the economy he mentioned the quit number and I know that's a strange number to look at but what that tells us is that people are, confident, they're confident in themselves, and they're, confident in the ability to go out and make a better life for themselves that's the difference and you know I've talked about this before the difference between a job and a, career and that's what folks are having the chance to do now in a way that haven't done for a long time the chance to to, build their career, so they're at a job they, don't like it they want to go do something else they have a confidence, now to be able to do that it has been a long time. Since you could do that in this country that's what you can do when you have three. And four percent economic growth that you cannot do at one, and two percent it's also reflected in the new business formation. More, women are starting businesses more african-americans, are starting businesses more, Asian, Americans, and Hispanic. Americans are starting, new businesses this, is this. Is a reflection, of the confidence, that you can have in the system it gives us a tremendous problem, which, is that we need more workers, we have too many jobs available and not enough workers and the federal government is a lousy job right now you heard of Anka mention she's absolutely right most, of the job training programs we have don't. Know how to measure what they do we ask them were, you successful in job training and they'll say oh yeah well we spent a hundred million dollars last year and we helped 52,000. People okay, and we ask ok did any of them get a job, hardly. Any of them know the answer to that question so that's we're trying to fix here is to bring some accountability because. We need it now, it's not just a question of saving money the, economy needs. More, workers. Than, this group I think it's going to make that a priority so thanks let us do it. Yes.
I Think, one of the key markets, is not just, the few unemployed. And. But also the. Very large percentage of, people who. Are working age but don't identify themselves, as, even being in, the workforce, we, need to pull them back into the workforce training. And better, jobs of what will do that and that's what will help drive the economy, to, these very very high rates of growth because, if you don't have increased. Workforce, participation and. You don't have increased, productivity, we, won't be able to meet our aspirations. For growth so it's very very critical that we do that and that's why we're convening, an Advisory, Council, of, leading, CEOs. Leading. Academics. Leading, thought people in order, to provide, advice to the council, how, we can do better how. We can cooperate better, and how, we can increase workforce, participation. Thank. You. All. Of you basically, we're saying we have some tremendous trade, deals coming along. Mexico. Were largely, finished as being papered, but we have a wonderful. Relationship and, I think we have a great deal for for. Both we had a very unfair NAFTA, deal it was a terrible, deal for this country for. Many years between Mexico. And Canada was a horrible, horrible deal we lost thousands, of businesses, and millions of jobs and that's. Not going to happen anymore but we, have a really. Great deal with. Mexico. And I think great for both of us very. Very, Pro. Jobs very, pro everything, for both countries so we look forward to that that's, in the process of the. Deal is mates in the process, of getting included. We'll. See what happens with Canada, we've told. Them what we have to have and we'll see how that goes I'm, sure it'll go fine and. So. We're working on that China. Is now paying those billions of dollars and we. Will see. How that all works out it's a. Great. Respect for President Xi as you know I was over there for two days with him have a lot of respect for China. But. Last. Year we lost 375. Billion. Dollars in deficits, and we had my, opinion, weigh, over 500, billion dollars in cash and that's not including, certain items that we won't even talk about so. When, I lose that. We can't do that we can't do that anymore it should have been done many years ago it should have been done by other presidents, and. Actually. It's a disgrace that it wasn't done so. China, is now paying us billions of dollars in tariffs and hopefully, we'll be able to work something out we'll be having. An announcement, tonight after. Close, of market and that, will take place a. Pretty. Comprehensive, statement. Kevin. May speak and Larry Kudlow may speak a little bit at that time. But. Some very positive news. I think. It's going to work out very well with China I think they want to make a deal they do want to make it feel that I can tell you they want to make a deal but from, our standpoint it has to be fair it has to take care of our workers, we. Can't have them pinpointing. Our farmers, because they think that weakens, me a little bit because our farmers are the great they they, are incredible, Patriots they understand what's happening the, markets were closed to them vast markets, were closed to them and the. Farmers have been hurting. For 15 years if, you look at soybeans pricing. Before the election for five years it was cut in half and. So. We're going to open up markets the EU were moving along they. Didn't want to talk because they had such a great deal and last. Year they made a hundred and fifty 1 billion dollars, off the United States and they had tremendous trade barriers, and. We'll, see what happens but as you know they want to make a deal very much and. We'll, see if we're going to be able to make a deal with them but if there's a good chance that we can and. No. Matter where you look we have new, deals going new trade deals and that's going to have a huge impact on our country it's going to have a huge impact on jobs could. Open up markets that weren't opened before and if. They don't want to do that that's ok then we're just going to have to charge them when they sell their, products, to us and, our. Treasury will take in tremendous, amounts of money which. Is great for our country and will create jobs so that's, all very important, and, what's going to happen his businesses, will start moving back into the united states which to me is that's, the dream the. Businesses, are going to pour back into the united states that's jobs that's a lot of other things it's a lot of taxes, coming to us and product. Will start being made here again you remember the old days we used to make our product Kevin right now, we buy our product from everybody, else and frankly, we can make it here and ultimately, if, you include the fact that we have to have jobs and other things to do it it'll, be far better economically.
But. We'll see what happens as to whether or not we're able. To do something in particular with, China that's a big one because the. Losses have been staggering for, so many years for our country, and we. Just can't let that happen anymore so. I want to thank you all for being here I want to congratulate the people around the table for what you've done with respect to workforce we, really need workers I mean with the companies coming in like they're coming in we, need workers what. Are the things we'll be doing at the border is we want people to come into our country but they have to be qualified they have to be merit-based, I, want, merit-based people. Right. Now, 60%. Over, the last ten years you take a look, 60, percent or let's. Just say so I get it exactly, perfectly, large. Large. Numbers, a large percentage, of the people coming. Into our, country immediately, go into welfare. Or relief and a lot of times they never, work and. We. Have some very foolish policies, in our country we have to end that we, want people to come into our country we want them to come in through merit so, they can work for all of these massive. Companies, that are coming. Back in many cases, coming back to the United States so. Thank. You very much and we're very proud of the people around this. Table and Ivanka I want to thank you for your leadership also, you have done a fantastic, job, of putting everything together and, Chris thank. You very much we appreciate it thank, you thank you. Judge. Cavanaugh, is, one. Of the finest, people that I've ever known, he's, an outstanding intellect. And outstanding, judge respected. By everybody, never. Had even a little, blemish, on his record. The. FBI has, I think on through a process, six times with him over the years where, he went to higher and higher positions. He. Is somebody very, special at, the same time we want to go through a process we want to make sure everything is perfect everything, is just right. I wish, the Democrats, could have done this a lot sooner because, they had this information for many, months and they. Shouldn't have waited till literally, the last days they, should have done it a lot sooner. But. With all of that being said we. Want to go through the process one thing I will say is that as. I understand, it judge Cavanaugh, spent quite. A bit of time with. Senator, Feinstein and, it. Wasn't even brought up at that meeting and she had this information so. You would have thought certainly that she, would have brought it up at the meeting now wait till everything's finished and then have to start a process all over again but. With all of it being said we want to go through a full process, I have great confidence in. The. US Senate and in their procedures, and what they're doing and I think that's probably what, they're going to do they'll go through a process and hear, everybody, out I think, it's important, I believe they think it's important, but again he, is one of the great intellects, and one of the finest, people that, anybody, has known you look at his references.
I've Never seen anything quite like it, so. They'll. Go through that process and we'll get it done I. Don't. Know it depends on the process I'd, like to see a complete process, I'd like everybody to. Be. Very happy most importantly I want the American people to be happy because, they're getting somebody, that is great, I want him to go in at the absolute, highest level, and I. Think to do that you have to go through this if it takes a little delay it'll take a little delay. It shouldn't, certainly be very much but again this. Is something that should have been brought up long. Before this they had the information in July as I understand. That's, a long time ago and nobody, mentioned, it until the. Other day, it's. Very you know it's very unfortunate that didn't mention it sooner but with. All of that being said, it. Will I'm sure work, out very well you're talking about a an, individual. Who is as high a quality individual. As you'll ever see. I. Have. Not spoken to judge. Cavanaugh. Next. Question, what a ridiculous, question. Oh. I. Think he's on track yeah I mean I think he's very much on track if they delayed, a little bit just to make sure everybody's. Happy they want to be happy I can, tell you the Republican, senator doesn't want to be a hundred percent happy themselves. They're. Doing it very very professionally. Again this should have been brought up a long time ago. Yeah. You're gonna see on China today right, after close, of business we'll be announcing something, and. It, will be a lot of money coming into the coffers of the United, States of America, a lot of money coming in but, you'll be seeing what we're doing right. After close of business today, the markets, closing thank you. Thank. You very much.
2018-09-24