MANILA, Philippines – A delegation of U.S. Department of Labor officials and representatives from the business and education communities is in Manila this week to participate in the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference. The meeting is being hosted from September 17 to 19 by the Labor Department in cooperation with the Philippines Department of Labor and Employment.

“The Department of Labor is pleased to take part in this conference and share its experiences in regional U.S. economies with our APEC counterparts,” said delegation head and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Douglas F. Small. “This is a superb forum for developed economies to connect and support developing APEC members, which are together facing the challenges of a global marketplace.”

This year’s conference is entitled “Innovations in Human Resource and Economic Development: Ensuring Sustainable Growth in the 21st Century.”  Sessions feature speakers and workshops providing expertise on economic and talent development strategies suited for the competitive, global environment.

The APEC meeting is an opportunity for attendees to exchange ideas on incorporating talent and workforce development into national strategies for economic growth. Innovative human resources strategies have gained prominence as the global marketplace becomes progressively more competitive for workers who are educated, skilled and adaptable.

In addition to Deputy Assistant Secretary Small, U.S. delegates are: Christopher Bruhl, president and chief executive officer, Business Council on Fairfield County, Conn.; Beverly Buck, director, Center for Education Policy Analysis School of Public Affairs, University of Colorado at Denver Health Sciences Center; Gary E. Miller, vice-chair, Sloan Consortium Board and executive director emeritus, Penn State World Campus; Duncan Moore, Rudolf and Hilda Kingslake Professor of Optical Engineering and Vice Provost for Entrepreneurship, University of Rochester; and Paul Scianna, executive director, Alliance for Innovation in Manufacturing.

Delegation members from the Department of Labor are: Michael Spangler, international relations analyst, Bureau of International Labor Affairs; Chris Watson, U.S. coordinator, APEC Labor and Social Protection Network, Bureau of International Labor Affairs; and Amy Young, policy and legislation team leader, Employment and Training Administration.