www.dol.gov
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FY 2003 Annual Performance Plan - Introduction
Elaine L. Chao, Secretary of Labor At the Summit on the 21st Century Workforce last June, Secretary Elaine Chao challenged the Department of Labor (DOL) and its partners in State governments, labor organizations, and business to fulfill the DOL mission more creatively, proactively, and cooperatively. Indeed, the core purpose of the Department to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of wage earners of the United States, to improve their working conditions, and to advance their opportunities for profitable employment¹ has not changed, but the world and our country have. In this document, our FY 2003 Annual Performance Plan, we describe our efforts to pursue the mission of the DOL in new and better ways to meet the needs of the 21st Century workforce. In particular, we emphasize certain areas, including:
Our strategies for working towards the vision articulated by Secretary Chao are presented in the framework of the Departments three strategic goals, listed below. The development of these goals and our plans for updating DOLs strategic goals and direction are described further in the next section.
The Department will prepare the workforce to meet the challenges of the 21st Century through new partnerships and initiatives designed to enhance both workers fundamental skills and advanced technical competencies. This plan describes the Departments goals and strategies relating to several initiatives, including the New Freedom Initiative to increase employment of persons with disabilities, a joint program with the Department of Education to offer Job Corps students the opportunity to earn high school diplomas, and DOLs efforts to improve the results of job training programs by expanding the participation of faith-based and community organizations. The Department will emphasize prevention and compliance assistance to protect workers before they are harmed physically or economically. Consistent with the Departments commitment to enforcement, we will work together with employers on better prevention strategies, avoiding whenever possible the loss of life, health or economic well-being that fines and penalties can never fully redress. This plan also reflects our commitment to improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the Departments programs by successfully meeting the challenges and opportunities outlined in the Presidents Management Agenda. The Government-wide reforms spelled out in the Agenda will strengthen the Departments business practices, fostering the delivery of high quality services to Americas workers at the most reasonable cost. Chapter 6 provides details on the Departments approach and management goals to achieve an organization that is citizen-centered, results-oriented, and market-based. |
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