ETA News Release: [June 13, 2005]
Contact Name: David James or Mike Volpe
Phone Number: 202-693-4676 or 202-693-3984
U.S. Delegation Attends International Seminar
On Economic and Employment Development
BRUSSELS, Belgium-Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Emily Stover DeRocco today leads a U.S. delegation to Europe for a seminar on successful policies and practices in local economic development. The delegation consists of U.S. leaders in business, education and government.
"I am pleased to join this group of U.S. leaders to present our country's approach to workforce development which stresses meeting the human talent demands of businesses to maximize local economic development strategies," said DeRocco. "In addition to sharing our experiences, this forum provides an opportunity to discuss and learn about workforce development strategies pursued in European Union countries. We look forward to a fruitful exchange that informs leaders on both sides of the Atlantic as we continue to adapt to the demands of the global economy."
DeRocco will share the U.S. Department of Labor's efforts to build a public workforce system that creates partnerships between the public and private sector to meet employers' demands while preparing American workers for careers in high growth industries.
U.S. delegation members include the state of Maryland's Secretary of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Dr. James Fielder. Fielder will make a presentation highlighting Maryland's efforts to strengthen the state's health care workforce. Among Maryland's innovative investments to ease a shortage of health care faculty is a scholarship program for nurses pursuing credentials to teach nursing and allied healthcare professions.
Dr. Gary Green, president of Forsyth Tech Community College, will present a paper on North Carolina's economic transition from textiles toward technology. The state's Piedmont Triad Region has experienced a severe economic downturn in its traditional furniture, tobacco, and textile industries. These industries, which once supported economic and career growth, more recently left large numbers of dislocated workers without necessary competitive skills sets. Forsyth Tech is retraining these workers to qualify for careers in the emerging biotechnology field.
Also participating for the U.S. will be Phillip Bond, vice president for government relations at Monster.com; Richard Fleming, president and CEO of the St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce; Ken Smith, chairman and CEO of Strategic Partnerships LLC; and Martin Bean, CEO of New Horizons Computer Learning Centers. The European Union delegation includes representatives from England, Germany and Austria as well as other members of the European Union.
###
U.S. Labor Department (DOL) releases are accessible on the Internet at www.dol.gov. The information in this news release will be made available in alternate format upon request (large print, Braille, audio tape or disc) from the COAST office. Please specify which news release when placing your request. Call (202) 693-7765 or TTY (202) 693-7755. DOL is committed to providing America's employers and employees with easy access to understandable information on how to comply with its laws and regulations. For more information, please visit www.dol.gov/compliance.
