Center News: February 2003

 

As part of the new WINs/Intermediary Initiative, WINs will hold a Showcase Conference and Skills Supply Chain training October 2-3, 2003 in Washington, D.C.  Chambers will share information and network with WINs sites, discuss hot topics, and learn how to build a successful skills supply chain in their communities.  Register now for this exciting event.  For information, contact Roberta Shulman, rshulman@uschamber.com or Zanna Gilbert, zgilbert@uschamber.com.

 

CWP Looking at Market Responsive Community Colleges
CWP is engaged in a new initiative to improve the capacity of federation chambers and their local community colleges to better meet the workforce demands of local businesses.

Through a series of regional forums, CWP will identify those factors that consistently and effectively result in market-responsive community colleges.  Each forum will challenge regional representatives from community colleges, workforce systems, and chambers of commerce to provide tangible solutions through a broad spectrum of promising practices and models.  These forums will generate key information and examples for CWP to use in developing a guide for chambers and community colleges on how to create effective workforce development solutions for small and medium-sized business.  Dates and locations of the regional meetings will be announced soon.  Project contacts are Jan Magill, jmagill@uschamber.com or Karen Elzey, kelzey@uschamber.com.

 

Fourth Leadership Course Planned
CWP is offering its popular Workforce Development Leadership Course October 26-29, 2003, at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  Information and application form can be found on the CWP Web site.  Space is limited, and preference will be given to chambers applying for the first time.  To talk with course alumni, contact us at 202-463-5525.

 

 Visit the CWP Web site for an order form.  This toolkit provides everything you need to make a Job Corps presentation to your workforce, education, and/or economic development chamber committees.  To order call 202-463-5525, or contact Jan Magill, jmagill@uschamber.com, or Stephanie Stewart, sstewart@uschamber.com.

 

CWP Thanks Chambers

Thank you to the chambers that participated in its survey on businesses' knowledge and use of the public workforce system.  Look for preliminary results on CWP's Web site in April.

 

The reception for  Assistant Secretary Emily DeRocco and DOL national corporate partners waw held at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.  Attendees included Toys 'R' Us, Citigroup Inc., Home Depot, and Verizon.

 

"Creating a 21st Century for Business" Workforce Summit – May 15, 2003

 

 

New Guidance Released
The U.S. Education Department recently released an updated version of its guidance on the Improving Teacher Quality Program, including standards for highly qualified teachers, to help states and schools comply with the new provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act.  The updated guidance also clarifies parents' right to know about the quality of their children's teachers. 

 

Secretary Chao testified on February 12, 2003, before the House Education and Workforce Committee on the President's Growth and Jobs Package.  She highlighted Personal Re-employment Accounts and reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act (WIA).  Access a copy of her testimony on the Department of Labor Web site.