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OPA News Release: [05/08/2006]
Contact Name: Stephanie Cathcart or Melinda Thielen
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number: 06-0813-ATL

U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Addresses Southern Women in Public Service Conference

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today delivered remarks to attendees of the Southern Women in Public Service Conference, sponsored by the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service. The Secretary highlighted the success of the President's pro-growth economic policies and addressed the challenges facing the workforce in the 21st century.

"The reality is that we now live and work in a worldwide economy, and America is transitioning to a knowledge-based economy," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao. "There is growing demand for knowledge workers and those who continuously invest in themselves through education and training."

"There is also a growing skills gap in our country — a mismatch between the new jobs being created which require more education and higher skill levels and the skills of our nation's workforce," added Secretary Chao. "During this year's State of the Union address, the President announced the American Competitiveness Initiative, which will help our workforce thrive and compete in the 21st Century worldwide economy."

Created as a service and research arm of Mississippi State University, the John C. Stennis Center for Public Service brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to bear on real-world issues through its training opportunities, including the bipartisan Southern Women in Public Service Conference. The Southern Women in Public Service Conference attracts women serving in appointed and elective office, along with women in academia and business who believe communities, cities, states and the nation will benefit as more women join the leadership ranks in public service.

The first Asian Pacific American woman to be appointed to a Cabinet position, Chao discussed the important role women have in the workforce and the many doors higher education can open to them. Chao noted that American women complete high school at higher rates than men and they are more likely to enter and graduate from college than men. And they are advancing as never before in the private and public sectors.

"Twenty-eight years ago, there were only about 100 women in senior positions in the federal government. Today, there are more than 4,000," said Chao. "In the next decade, 60 percent of the federal workforce will be eligible for retirement, creating tremendous opportunities for women who are interested in public service."

The Department of Labor is committed to helping all Americans contribute to the more efficient functioning of the U.S. economy by providing high quality job training, employment, labor market information, and income-maintenance services primarily through state and local workforce development systems. For more information, visit www.dol.gov.