Jobs & The Workplace

It's no accident that America has the brightest, strongest, and most skilled labor force in the world. The United States' dominance in emerging industries and the knowledge economy reflects years of investment in education and training. But maintaining American leadership will require perseverance and commitment. And for our citizens who, through no fault of their own, fall on hard times, the American government should be prepared to lend a hand to help them get back on their feet.

I have always been a strong supporter of legislative proposals to reinforce and strengthen our education and job training system. In addition, I have advocated innovative, market-based policies to improve the knowledge and skills level of our labor force, such as tax credits for technology training and a tax exclusion for employer-provided education assistance. And while I have supported efforts to ensure a meaningful minimum wage for workers, I also support coinciding tax relief to offset the additional labor costs for employers. Finally, during periods of economic downturn, it is vitally important that government step in with expanded unemployment insurance benefits for those who find themselves temporarily out of work.

Kerry's Record on Jobs...