21st Century Workforce Initiative

This executive order establishes the Office of the 21st Century Workforce within the Department of Labor and a 13-member presidential advisory council to study workforce challenges including technological change, globalization, and skills gaps. The Council is tasked with assessing workforce trends and recommending policy changes, but terminates automatically after two years unless extended by the President. The order also amends a prior Clinton-era training technology advisory committee and revokes another Clinton commission on economic change.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 33627

Impact dates

Jun 20, 2003
Council terminates unless extended by President

Key directives

Secretary of Labor shall establish Office of the 21st Century Workforce within DOL
Council shall assess effects of technological changes, demographic trends, globalization, and skills needs
Council shall examine approaches to workplace education, retraining, assistive technologies, and skills upgrading
Council shall identify impediments to workforce adjustment and recommend policy removals
Council shall assist Office in reviewing DOL programs for streamlining
Council shall terminate 2 years from date of order unless extended by President
Executive Order 13174 revoked
Section 6 of Executive Order 13111 amended to coordinate with this order

Who is ordered

Timeline

Immediate

Office of the 21st Century Workforce established within DOL
President's Council on the 21st Century Workforce established
Executive Order 13174 revoked
Executive Order 13111 section 6 amended

Near term (90d)

Council members to be appointed by President
Council organizational meetings expected

Long term

Council termination on June 20, 2003 unless extended
Potential streamlining of DOL regulations and services based on Council recommendations

Risks & tensions

Advisory-only structure with no binding authority limits institutional impact
Two-year sunset clause creates uncertainty about sustained policy follow-through
Coordination mandate with amended EO 13111 may create bureaucratic friction
Vague 'streamline and update' directives lack measurable benchmarks
Revocation of EO 13174 commission may disrupt ongoing work on workers and economic change