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ETA News Release: [05/28/2003]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984

Workforce Investment to be Topic of Research Conference in Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—Researchers from a host of organizations will meet June 4 and 5 in the nation’s Capitol to shed light on the 21^st century challenges facing workforce development in America.

The 2003 Biennial National Research Conference, the second sponsored by the U.S. Labor Department’s Employment and Training Administration, is mandated every two years by the Workforce Investment Act to assist the Secretary of Labor in creating a five-year plan to anticipate and respond to workforce needs.

“Technology, increasing globalization and changing demographics have had a major effect on workforce development,” said Emily Stover DeRocco, assistant secretary of labor for employment and training. “The information gathered at this conference will be part of the department’s long-range strategic planning for research, pilot projects and demonstration initiatives to serve workers who need jobs and the businesses that hire them.”

Among the topics that the conference will address are recent changes in workforce investment, changing business requirements, workforce security in the new economy, and increasing productivity by matching business needs and worker skills.

Panelists will include researchers from academia, state and local agencies, business organizations, labor associations, and research consulting firms. The conference is free and open to the public.

For additional information, see http://wdr.doleta.gov/conference/research_conference_2003_II.asp or contact Crystal Woodard at (202) 693-3162 or cwoodard@doleta.gov. To register on line, please visit http://wdr.doleta.gov/conference/Biennial_register.cfm

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