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Remarks Prepared for Delivery by
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao
High-Tech Industry Grant Announcement
Tampa, Florida
Wednesday, October 27, 2004
Thank you, John [Ferrell, Market Area President, Southeast Network
Services Group].
And thank you for showing us this great facility. Let me welcome Congressman
Bob Walker, Chairman of the President's Commission on the Future of the
Aerospace Industry. And I want to thank Florida State Representatives
Faye Culp [Fla.-57th] and Kevin Ambler [Fla.-47th] for
joining us today. I also want to recognize George Strohm, Associate Director
of Aerospace Programs at Brevard Community College, and Edward Ellegood,
Director of Policy and Program Development at the Florida Space Research
Institute.
I am delighted to be here to announce a giant step forward for high-tech
workers in Florida.
Thousands of new high-tech jobs are being created in Florida in industries
such as broadband communications and aerospace. Tampa's Fiber Training Facility,
which I've just finished touring, is a good example. It is upgrading skills
and training workers for good paying jobs in broadband communications. This
technology will bring high-speed internet access and other innovations to
millions of American homes and workplaces nationwide.
In fact, Verizon will hire between 3,000—5,000 new employees by the end
of 2005 to help build its new broadband network. And studies show that the
widespread development of broadband in Florida alone will create 26,300 new
jobs, another 45,100 jobs indirectly with suppliers and vendors and will
increase the state's economy by more than $26 billion.
I want to emphasize that these emerging opportunities pay well. Studies
estimate that overall, the broadband sector could generate as many as 333,000
new jobs within the next 5 years. And these jobs pay high wages and benefits
for skilled workers. Telecommunications equipment installers, line installers
and repairers, for example, have a median salary of about $50,000 annually.
In addition to highlighting the great opportunities in the telecommunications
industry, I am pleased to announce a $3 million initiative to strengthen
America's aerospace industry workforce.
As some of you may know, there is a shortage of skilled workers and professionals
to fill the ranks of Florida's booming aerospace industry. This shortage
is especially acute in the field of engineering.
So as part of our aerospace effort, I am announcing today a grant of approximately
$362,710 to the Florida Space Research Institute. It will help the Institute
reach out to math and science teachers in Florida, so they can learn about
the requirements of the aerospace industry and pass this on to their students.
In addition, I am announcing a second grant of $98,000 to Brevard Community
College. It will help introduce young people to the knowledge and skills
they need to pursue careers in aerospace.
Some of you may have seen movies and documentaries recently about the history
of the U.S. aerospace industry, especially the Apollo space flight program.
These shows have inspired young people. They need to know that there are
great opportunities available in this field—if you
have the right skills and the right education. We're here to help ensure
that the youngsters in Florida who want to reach for the stars, can achieve
their goal.
These two grants of part of President George W. Bush's commitment to help
develop the skilled workforce necessary for high-growth industries in Florida
and across the United States.
So now, let me ask Bob Walker to say a few words about the tremendous opportunities
available in the aerospace industry.
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