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OPA News Release: [05/05/2005]
Contact Name: David James
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number: 05-813-ATL
U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao Joins
U.S. Sen. Jeff Sessions and Alabama Gov. Robert Riley
In Tuscaloosa to Highlight Worker Training Programs
Chao, Sessions and Riley Participate in Ribbon
Cutting at Tuscaloosa Career Center
TUSCALOOSA, AL—U.S. Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao participated
in two events in the Tuscaloosa area today to highlight worker training
programs. Chao participated in a ribbon cutting ceremony attended by U.S.
Sen. Jeff Sessions and Alabama Gov. Robert Riley which officially opened
the new Tuscaloosa Area Career Center. She also toured the Shelton State
Community College Workforce Center which is helping train workers for
two major industries in Alabama: aerospace and aviation.
“The Shelton State Community College electronics and robotics lab and
new Tuscaloosa Career Center are great examples of Alabama innovation
and initiative on behalf of workers,” said U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine
L. Chao. “I am pleased to have the opportunity to discuss these efforts
with Senator Sessions and Governor Riley and look forward to seeing these
centers succeed for Alabamans.”
Alabama's network of 30 One-Stop Centers and 31 satellites are strategically
located throughout the state. Job development, occupational and educational
training, vocational rehabilitation, veterans' services and unemployment
insurance information are all offered. Employers work with local centers
to locate employees with specific skills and the goal is to consolidate
the delivery of services at a single location. Many centers are electronically
linked with partner agencies, such as the Alabama Departments of Industrial
Relations, Human Resources, Rehabilitation Services and Education, two-year
colleges and others.
The Tuscaloosa Area Career Center activities include specialized services
to employers as well as a wide range of career and educational opportunities
for the citizens of the Tuscaloosa area.
To help expand the capacity of community colleges to train workers, President
Bush launched the Jobs for the 21st Century and High Growth Jobs Training
initiatives. The Jobs for the 21st Century Initiative includes $500 million
to fund partnerships between community colleges like this one and employers
in high-demand job sectors like aerospace. The local Workforce Investment
Boards are the catalysts in developing these partnerships. The Department
of Labor's goal is to ensure that the education and training community
has in place the curricula necessary to teach the skills identified by
employers in their communities.
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