As our economy evolves, we must evolve with it, developing a workforce prepared to meet the demands of a new economy. Now is our chance to build a workforce ready to succeed over a lifetime, not just over the next three to five years.

At the heart of the opportunities and risks we face in a new global economy is the increasing value of skills rooted in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Indeed, 10 of the top 14 fastest-growing industries require STEM training. To keep up with the projected growth in demand for STEM jobs, America will need an additional 1 million more college graduates with STEM training by 2022 than we’re on track to produce.

That is why we are both invested in a collaborative national effort to recruit and train 100,000 excellent K-12 STEM teachers by 2021: because strengthening K-12 STEM education is the best long-term commitment we can make to prepare our country for the changes to come.

Read the full article about STEM skills and the U.S. job market at The 74.