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ETA News Release: [03/30/2004] Contact Name: Lorette
Post Phone Number: (202) 693-3984
U.S. Department of Labor to Host United Kingdom
Jobcentre Managers as Part of US/UK Staff Exchange
WASHINGTONU.S.
Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao announced that the Labor Department will host
18 Jobcentre and Jobcentre Plus managers and staff from the United Kingdom as
part of a staff exchange between the British Department of Work and Pensions
and the U.S. Department of Labor.
This is a wonderful opportunity to work with Jobcentre managers
from the United Kingdom, said Secretary Chao. The exchange will
give us a chance to share best practices, and learn how other countries serve
the unemployed, particularly welfare recipients, disabled workers, youth and
those with limited English proficiency.
The visit involves a one-day orientation in Washington, D.C. The
Jobcentre managers will meet with the Department of Labors Assistant
Secretary for Employment and Training, Emily Stover DeRocco, and the Department
of Health and Human Services Commissioner of the Administration for Children,
Youth and Families Joan E. Ohl.
Participants in the exchange will be provided an overview of the
workforce investment system, the Presidents High Growth Job
Training Initiative and other Department of Labor initiatives. The
delegation will be divided into smaller three-person groups, each of which will
visit one local One-Stop Career Center around the country. The selected centers
are in New York, Virginia, Florida, Texas, Utah and California.
During their trip here, British professionals will get a wealth of
information and some hands-on experience at local One-Stop Career Centers in
this country, said DeRocco. The exchange means that these visitors
to our country and our visitors to theirs will return home with new ideas and
renewed commitment to meet the challenges of building a 21st Century
workforce.
On a visit to the United Kingdom last spring, Secretary Chao and British
Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Andrew Smith discussed organizing such
an exchange. Later this year, a group of U.S. One-Stop Career Center staff
members will visit the United Kingdom and participate in similar activities to
gain a better understanding of the British Jobcentre Plus system.
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