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ETA News Release: [09/27/2004]
Contact Name: Ed Frank or Jane Norris
Phone Number: 202-693-4658 or 4676

U.S. Labor Department Head of Employment and Training Meets with Mining Executives to Address Industry Challenges

Executive Forum Held at National Mining Association's MINExpo in Las Vegas

LAS VEGAS, Nev.—Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco met with the mining industry in Las Vegas today to discuss ways to meet the industry's demand for tech-savvy workers for the next generation in mining. DeRocco moderated the Energy Industry Executive Forum at the National Mining Association's MINExpo.

“Mining is experiencing a dramatic transformation as the industry takes advantage of advanced technology,” said DeRocco. “The need for more advanced skills is compounded by the fact that in the next few years, major segments of the mining workforce will reach retirement. That's why we met today with experts in the mining industry—to make sure that their workers have the education and training to take advantage of new job opportunities in the mining industry.”

Discussions with mining industry leaders have produced a snapshot of challenges requiring solutions. According to DeRocco, the large contingent of current miners nearing retirement will be difficult to replace because few entry-level workers have the skills for today's technologically advanced mining operations. The industry today is mining more minerals at a quicker pace with more sophisticated equipment. Workers need to be trained quickly, often through nontraditional tools, to keep up with the pace.

The Energy Executive Forum conducted today is one of many DeRocco has held over the past two years to hear from industry leaders about the workforce challenges they face. Under the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, The Department of Labor has been meeting with executives, human resource leaders, and educators to find ways to create a pipeline of workers with the technical, and often advanced, skills for the jobs mining employers need to fill. Each set of industry solutions has been met with an investment from the Labor Department to fund programs that can serve as national models to prepare today's workers for tomorrow's jobs.

DeRocco said, “By addressing mining industry workforce needs and investing in America's workers now, we can prepare for future challenges in this sector.”

The energy industry incorporates a broad range of sectors, including natural gas and petroleum, electricity, coal mining, water treatment, nuclear and renewable resources.

For more information about the President's High Growth Job Training Initiative, please visit http://www.doleta.gov/BRG/JobTrainInitiative/

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