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ETA News Release: [07/24/2006]
Contact Name: Melinda Thielen
Phone Number: (202) 693-4676
Release Number: 06-1266-NAT

U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao Highlights Administration’s Plans to Keep U.S. Workforce Competitive

Skills Gap Growing in Knowledge-Based Economy

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao today highlighted U.S. Department of Labor initiatives to help employers and American workers close the skills gap and prepare workers for jobs in healthcare and other high growth industries during remarks to the North Carolina Economic Development Summit in Charlotte, hosted by U.S. Senator Richard Burr.

"Our country is transitioning to a knowledge-based economy," said Secretary Chao. "There is a growing mismatch — a skills gap — between the new jobs being created and the skills of our workforce. That's why President Bush's High Growth Job Training, Community-based Job Training and American Competitiveness Initiatives are so important."

"Home-health aides, medical assistants, physician assistants and registered nurses are among the fastest growing occupations in America, offering good pay and rewarding careers helping people," said Secretary Chao. "Our country will need 4.9 million new workers in health-care related occupations, including 1.2 million registered nurses within the next decade. The demand for skilled healthcare professionals is very strong."

The Secretary talked at length about the Bush Administration's job training initiatives, workforce challenges of the 21st century and the nation's strong economy.

"Our economy is one of the most vibrant of all industrialized nations," said Secretary Chao. "The national unemployment rate remained steady in June at 4.6 percent — more than a point lower than the average 5.7 percent unemployment rate of the 1990s. The economic growth rate in 2005 was 3.5 percent and an even stronger 5.6 percent in the 1st quarter of 2006. Our economy has created 5.4 million net new jobs in the last two-and-a-half years. More Americans are working than ever before."

To learn more about how the Department of Labor is contributing to the more efficient functioning of the U.S. labor market by providing high quality job training, employment, labor market information, and income maintenance services primarily through state and local workforce development systems, visit www.doleta.gov.