News Release

Printer-Friendly Version

ETA News Release: [09/18/2004]
Contact Name: Lorette Post
Phone Number: (202) 693-3984

U.S. Labor Department Head of Employment and Training Honors Skilled Trades Workers at the Cardinals–Diamondbacks Game

Event highlights the “Skills to Build America’s Future” Initiative

ST. LOUIS—U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco was on hand today at Busch Stadium for a double play. In addition to cheering on the teams, Assistant Secretary DeRocco joined St. Louis baseball fans in honoring the hardworking men and women who build America.

“Skilled workers are in demand now more than ever as the baby boom generation moves into retirement,” said DeRocco. “In addition to good pay, these jobs offer workers the potential for economic independence as entrepreneurs and the opportunity to contribute to our nation’s economic growth and national security.”

The U.S. Department of Labor, together with the Skilled Trades Coalition and the St. Louis Cardinals, will pay tribute to the nation’s skilled trades workers as part of the “Skills to Build America’s Future” Initiative today during ballpark festivities.

The initiative is a nationwide outreach and education effort to attract the next generation of workers to the skilled trades. Over the next eight years, there will be nearly one million new jobs for these workers—an increase of 15 percent.

In addition to pre-game ceremonies welcoming skilled trades men and women, fans had the opportunity to visit a Skilled Trades Tent at the T.R. Hughes Homebuilders Fan Area to pick up their rally cards and learn more about the initiative and careers in the skilled trades.

Partners in the initiative include the Construction Industry Round Table, the National Heavy & Highway Alliance and its seven affiliated international unions and the National Association of Home Builders.

DeRocco said, “The best way to ensure a pipeline of workers entering the skilled trades is to encourage young people and transitioning workers to consider these jobs as future careers. The new generation of skilled trades workers will build the structural and economic foundation of America for the 21^st Century and beyond.”

More information on the “Skills to Build America’s Future” Initiative can be found at www.careervoyages.com. Individuals interested in accessing information or job training and career opportunities in their communities can also visit their local One-Stop Career Centers. To find the One-Stop nearest you, log on to www.servicelocator.org.

# # #

_________________________________________________________________