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ETA News Release: [09/27/2004]
Contact Name: Ed Frank or Jane Norris Phone Number: 202-693-4658 or 4676
U.S. Labor Department Head of Employment and Training
Meets with Mining Executives to Address Industry Challenges
Executive Forum Held at National
Mining Association's MINExpo in Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS, Nev.Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment
and Training Emily Stover DeRocco met with the mining industry in Las
Vegas today to discuss ways to meet the industry's demand for tech-savvy
workers for the next generation in mining. DeRocco moderated the Energy
Industry Executive Forum at the National Mining Association's MINExpo.
“Mining is experiencing a dramatic transformation as the industry takes
advantage of advanced technology,” said DeRocco. “The need for more advanced
skills is compounded by the fact that in the next few years, major segments
of the mining workforce will reach retirement. That's why we met today
with experts in the mining industryto make sure that their workers
have the education and training to take advantage of new job opportunities
in the mining industry.”
Discussions with mining industry leaders have produced a snapshot of challenges
requiring solutions. According to DeRocco, the large contingent of current
miners nearing retirement will be difficult to replace because few entry-level
workers have the skills for today's technologically advanced mining operations.
The industry today is mining more minerals at a quicker pace with more sophisticated
equipment. Workers need to be trained quickly, often through nontraditional
tools, to keep up with the pace.
The Energy Executive Forum conducted today is one of many DeRocco has held
over the past two years to hear from industry leaders about the workforce
challenges they face. Under the President's High Growth Job Training
Initiative, The Department of Labor has been meeting with
executives, human resource leaders, and educators to find ways to create
a pipeline of workers with the technical, and often advanced, skills for
the jobs mining employers need to fill. Each set of industry solutions has
been met with an investment from the Labor Department to fund programs that
can serve as national models to prepare today's workers for tomorrow's jobs.
DeRocco said, “By addressing mining industry workforce needs and investing
in America's workers now, we can prepare for future challenges in this sector.”
The energy industry incorporates a broad range of sectors, including natural
gas and petroleum, electricity, coal mining, water treatment, nuclear and
renewable resources.
For more information about the President's High Growth Job Training
Initiative, please visit http://www.doleta.gov/BRG/JobTrainInitiative/
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Archived News Release Caution: Information may be out of date.
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