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ETA News Release: [07/19/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984

U.S. Labor Deputy Secretary Steven J. Law Addresses National Workforce Conference

SAN ANTONIO—U.S. Deputy Secretary of Labor Steven J. Law today opened the nation’s premiere workforce investment conference, Workforce Innovations 2004, in San Antonio. More than 2,200 business and education leaders, workforce investment professionals, and federal, state and local officials from across America plan to attend the three-day conference.

“The President has laid out an ambitious and practical agenda urging those within the public workforce investment system to train workers for jobs in demand,” said Deputy Secretary of Labor Steven J. Law. “The group gathered at this conference plays a critical role in making that agenda happen. You can help create good jobs, the security of regular paychecks and the future of fulfilling careers for millions of our fellow citizens.”

In his keynote remarks, Deputy Secretary Law applauded the recent good economic news. “The recovery is gaining strength,” he said. “Our country has experienced 10 straight months of job growth, with 1.5 million new jobs created since last August.” The conference workshops will brainstorm ways to take advantage of the new economic growth.

“Participation in this conference is evidence of the power of e³—employers, educators and economic developers working together to develop solutions to the workforce challenges facing industries today,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco. “The conference is one way to continue expanding these relationships to provide maximum opportunity for American workers to gain the skills they need to compete in today’s 21^st century economy.”

Workforce Innovations 2004 boasts 50 workshops, six Super Workshops and three Town Hall Meetings with nearly 200 speakers. During the conference, Department of Labor leadership will discuss the President’s High Growth Job Training Initiative, hold a Town Hall Meeting on the demand-driven vision of the workforce development system, and host interactive workshops on integrated services and the new perspective on youth and adult services.

The conference will continue through Wed., July 21. For more on Workforce Innovations 2004, including details on the Demand Driven Pavilion, Solutions Gallery and other conference features as well as a complete conference agenda, please visit www.workforceinnovations.org.

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