|
 Printer-Friendly Version
ETA News Release: [11/10/2003]
Contact Name: Ed
Frank
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Discusses Job
Growth, Training with New Hampshire Workers, Employers, Educators
High Growth Job Training
Initiative Will Prepare Workers for Well-Paying Jobs
MANCHESTER, N.H.—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao today
met with workers, employers and educators at New Hampshire Community
Technical College to discuss the strengthening economy and how the
Department’s new High Growth Job Training Initiative can help prepare
workers for careers in growing, well-paying industries.
The High Growth Job Training Initiative addresses the fact that the mix
of jobs in states like New Hampshire is changing and dynamic. For example,
while employment is projected to grow significantly in areas like health
services, biotechnology and high-tech manufacturing, fewer New Hampshire
workers are engaged in other fields. The High Growth Job Training Initiative is
designed to prepare workers to take advantage of these new job opportunities
and ensure that worker training and career development programs are better
targeted at areas of the economy where job growth is expected.
“286,000 new jobs have been created in the past three months, third
quarter economic growth was the strongest in nearly 20 years and record high
productivity growth is boosting wages for workers,” Chao said. “These
are all signs that the President’s economic policies are turning the
economy around.
“Still, we know that some industries have experienced difficult
adjustments over the past few years. At the same time, other industries are
experiencing significant job growth, and employers in these industries are
having difficulty finding workers with the right skill sets. That’s why
we’ve launched the High Growth Job Training Initiative: to identify the
industries where new jobs are being created and train workers for these
opportunities.”
Chao noted that the Department of Labor is actively working with
employers, trade associations and industry leaders to determine projected job
opportunities and required skills in growth industries. The Department is also
collaborating with educators, technical schools and community colleges to
develop educational programs that will equip workers with the skills needed to
enter these fields. It is also helping develop programs that will match workers
with opportunities.
“The feedback we receive from individuals in New Hampshire today
will be crucial in our efforts to expand and refine the High Growth Job
Training Initiative, so we can help workers get well-paying jobs in these
fast-growing industries.”
# # #
_________________________________________________________________
| 
