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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-6871
The U.S. Department of Labor and the American Association of Community
Colleges (AACC) are co-sponsoring a new competition to recognize exemplary and
innovative programs in workforce education, training and transition services,
Secretary of Labor Robert B. Reich announced today.
"Community Colleges all over the country are helping to build the
workforce of the 21st century, not only by educating our people but helping
experienced workers retrain for the future. These awards will highlight
innovative programs that are giving workers and employers a competitive edge in
the global economy," said Reich
The 1997 Workforce Development Awards will recognize community college
programs that enable workers and businesses to compete better in the global
economy. One award will be given in each of four categories: exemplary one-stop
career center and America's Job Bank Services, dislocated worker services,
incumbent worker training and education, and career pathways for at-risk and
special-needs youth. Award winners will be honored at the AACC Convention in
April 1997 and will receive a cash prize of $10,000 funded by the Labor
Department.
The competition will be open to all 1,200 community colleges throughout
the U.S. The awards will identify model programs and exemplary practices that
can be adopted by community colleges and other providers in the arena of
workforce development and transition services. Programs will be judged on the
quality of their service design, effectiveness, linkages with other
organizations, and support from college leadership, as well as on their
uniqueness and innovation.
The one-stop career center services category will focus on programs
that provide high-quality information and guidance services for individuals
seeking jobs, career paths or further education and training. Services provided
must adhere to the principles of universality, customer choice, program
integration and accountability. In addition, the winning entry in this category
must provide access to America's Job Bank.
Applicants for the dislocated worker services category must provide
specialized services for workers who have already lost their jobs or have
received notice of permanent lay-off due to downsizing, plant closure or
military base closure, or who are chronically unemployed and have limited
opportunities for re-employment in the same or similar occupation. Winning
programs must address the need for upgrading basic skills and offer
opportunities for dislocated workers to exercise personal choice in the type of
training or education they receive.
Community colleges that apply for the incumbent worker training
category must provide business outreach services and promote increased
investment by employers in their workers' training and education. Winning
programs must have secured substantial financial commitments from an employer
or group of employers.
The career pathways category includes programs targeted to the
education and employment needs of at-risk and special-needs youth, aged 14 to
25. At-risk and special-needs youth include students who dropped out of high
school, have low levels of basic and occupational skills and have little work
experience or knowledge of the demands of the workplace. They may be heads of
welfare families or members of such families, offenders or ex-offenders, or
individuals with significant disabilities or other special needs. The colleges
must also use work-based learning, career assessment or other elements
identified in the 1994 School-to-Work Opportunities Act.
Information regarding the competition will be mailed by the American
Association of Community Colleges (AACC) to community colleges during the week
of December 2 with applications due January 15.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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