A r c h i v e d  I n f o r m a t i o n

   FOR RELEASE                                 Contact: Kerri Morgan    May 14, 1995                                       (202) 401-3383

"Involvement in Education is Good for Business," Riley Says

Response to National Employers Survey Released by the National Center on the Educational Quality of the Workforce

Statement by Secretary Richard W. Riley

On Wednesday, we will celebrate the one-year anniversary of the signing of the School-to-Work Opportunities Act. Over the last year, partnerships of business, education, and labor have -- with the aid of School-to-Work venture capital -- made marked progress in designing and implementing innovative systems to better prepare all youth for college and careers.

We are on the right track. We know that an individual's wages rise with each level of education. The findings from the National Employer Survey released today give us evidence -- instead of anecdotes -- that education pays off for businesses. Simply put, firms with more educated workers are more productive.

These findings also showed that firms which partner with schools through School-to-Work related activities reap special benefits. For example, those businesses that offer internships are also more likely to have workers with more years of schooling and who use technology at a higher rate -- both of which lead to increased productivity.

I have said it before and I will say it again: The future strength of our nation lies in the education of our citizens and how well they are prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Involvement in education is good for business and good for the country. This is no time for a retreat on such a critical investment in our future.

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