Center News: March 2003

Activities to Watch

CWP Apologizes
CWP apologizes for any inconvenience caused by multiple faxes you may have received last month due to a computer error. We have corrected the problem.

Creating a 21st Century Workforce for Business
CWP will host Workforce Summit 2003: Creating a 21st Century Workforce for Business on May 15, 2003, at the U.S. Chamber in Washington, D.C. Top business, media, and government leaders will come together to examine the four key areas of workforce development—hiring, training, retaining, and advancing workers—and define what businesses need from a 21st century workforce system. The summit will gather valuable insights into what is needed to expand the base of skilled workers among traditional and nontraditional workers.  This full-day event will result in recommendations to policymakers regarding the future of the workforce development system.  Speakers include Secretary Elaine L. Chao, U.S Department of Labor and Roger Herman, president and CEO of the Herman Group. For more information or to register on line visit,

Operation Transition
On February 19, 2003, CWP hosted the second meeting of Operation Transition, a San Diego-based pilot project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor that addresses veterans' employment issues. Key community leaders began discussions on how transitioning military and their spouses can better connect to employment and education resources in the San Diego area. The agenda was divided into three segments: an overview of the project, a general discussion on key barriers and opportunities. Breakout group discussions focused on developing a strategy that will serve as the foundation of a community action plan for addressing veteran’s employment issues.  An April meeting is being planned to continue the dialogue and draft an outline of a veterans’ transition model.  A final report will be released in July.

CWP Staff Present at the NAWB Conference
CWP staff presented two sessions at the recent conference of the National Association of Workforce Boards. Bobbi Shulman joined WINs partners from the National Association of Manufacturers and Jobs for the Future to lead a session on “Connecting Employers to the Public Workforce System: Reaching Employers Through Employer Associations.”  This presentation featured WINs demonstration sites from the Greater Cleveland Growth Association, the Greater Durham Chamber of Commerce (N.C.), and the American Society of Employers (Detroit, Mich.). Shulman also co-facilitated a session with Scott Cheney on “WIBs and Chambers: Building Ties between Economic and Workforce Development," featuring panelists from the Durham Chamber, the Tucson Chamber (Ariz.), and the Schuylkill Chamber (Penn.).

Delaware Representatives Tour Philadelphia Job Corps Center
On March 6, a group of Delaware business, community college, state, and local representatives toured the Philadelphia Job Corps Center to view firsthand the curricula and tools being used in Job Corps training.  The trip, arranged by the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce, is a part of the effort to build the Delaware-Job Corps Partnership, a CWP-sponsored initiative to help local businesses connect with Job Corps graduates who return to their home communities and begin careers. Visit the Chamber-Job Corps Partnership page.

Update

CENTER NEWS UPDATE
Center News is going online!  In order to reach a much wider audience with our popular monthly newsletter, we are changing to an e-mail format.  The last faxed version will be in April.  Please visit www.uschamber.com/cwp to subscribe to the online version.

E-Sources

Engaging Leaders: Building Bright Futures for Young Children
CWP is pleased to co-sponsor the upcoming conference Engaging Leaders:  Building Bright Futures for Young Children May 21-23, 2003.  The conference will be held in Charlotte, N.C.  For additional information on the conference or to register online, go to www.successby6.org.