Commerce Secretary Don Evans Announces New GetTech Campaign Sponsor, Praises Commitment to Students

Math, Science and Technology Skills Open Doors and Expand Economic Opportunities

Washington, DC - U.S. Secretary of Commerce Don Evans today joined leaders of the Intel Corporation, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Washington, and the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) in announcing two public-private partnerships to encourage young people to study math and science to be better prepared for the jobs of the future.

Secretary Evans joins students as they design and build a model home using special computer software. A printout of the model and landscaping is displayed in the upper right hand corner of the photo.

In a press conference and tour celebrating the opening of the first Intel Computer Clubhouse in the nation's capital, located at Boys & Girls Clubs Eastern Branch in Washington, DC, Evans welcomed Intel into the GetTech partnership, an educational initiative launched last year by DOC and NAM to interest students in technology careers.

"For this country to maintain our global leadership in the 21st Century, the United States must have a skilled and educated workforce - from the scientists and engineers that produce the scientific breakthroughs and innovations that drive our economy, to skilled technicians needed in manufacturing," said Secretary Evans. "I am grateful to the National Association of Manufacturers and Intel for partnering with the Department of Commerce to give children the opportunity to learn skills that will shape a positive future for them and for American business."

Secretary Evans shares the excitement with students at the Intel Computer Clubhouse at the Boys & Girls Club as they design a video game.

Joining Evans at the press conference were Patricia Shannon, president & CEO, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington; Jim Jarrett, vice president, worldwide government affairs, Intel Corporation and host of the event; and Phyllis Eisen, executive director, Center for Workforce Success and vice president, Manufacturing Institute, NAM.

The Commerce Department's Office of Technology Policy partnered with NAM in response to industry's concerns about the need for skilled technology workers. GetTech provides kid-friendly information on technology careers on its website, http://www.gettech.org/, and includes radio, television and in the near future, a major advertising print campaign - geared towards kids in middle school - communicating it is cool to take math and science in school.