ACT is committed to working with career and technical educators in order to prepare students to meet the standards of the high-performance workplace. In short, prepare them to be career- and job-ready. This commitment is a reflection of ACT's mission: "helping people achieve education and workplace success." After devoting more than two decades of attention to workplace skills, ACT shares the realization that building a skilled workforce is a national priority of critical importance. In this article, the author weighs in on the growing skill gaps and the foundational skills necessary for career readiness. (Contains 4 endnotes.)