CONTENTS
The State & Regions
The Nation
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
Upcoming
Meetings, Conferences & Events
Odds & Ends
The State & Regions
More than $600,000 awarded to Marianna for infrastructure
improvements. TALLAHASSEE—Governor Jeb Bush this week
awarded a Rural Infrastructure Fund Grant totaling $608,945
to the City of Marianna to improve roads, wastewater collection,
water distribution and natural gas lines at the Jackson County
Distribution Park. The improvements are instrumental in securing
the location Oldcastle Precast, Inc. in the distribution
park. A leading manufacturer of pre-cast concrete products,
Oldcastle Precast, Inc., will create 110 jobs in Jackson
County. “Florida is pleased to assist Marianna in making
infrastructure improvements to attract new businesses and
capital investment,” said Governor Bush. “These
improvements are a good example of the worthwhile economic
development projects annually funded by the state’s
Rural Infrastructure Fund.” The Governor’s Office
of Tourism, Trade, and Economic Development (OTTED) administers
the Rural Infrastructure Fund grant program, which was created
in 1996 by the Florida Legislature. The program helps rural
communities make necessary infrastructure improvements to
increase economic development in their respective areas.
The City of Marianna worked closely with OTTED, Enterprise
Florida, Inc., and the Jackson County Development Council
to secure this grant for the City of Marianna. "I want
to thank the Governor and his Office of Tourism Trade and
Economic Development for assisting us with funding from the
Rural Infrastructure Fund for the Oldcastle project here
in Marianna,” stated John Roberts, Mayor of Marianna. "These
funds will provide for important infrastructure improvements
needed to attract businesses, like the Oldcastle, to our
industrial park and to diversify our economy.” Since
taking office in 1999, Governor Bush has worked hard to put
rural Florida on a more competitive footing with the rest
of the state. Among many the rural-based initiatives, Governor
Bush created the “Rural Areas of Critical Economic
Concern,” providing rural areas greater access to the
state’s economic and tourism development incentive
programs. To date, Governor Bush has designated three such
areas – including the one impacted by today’s
announcement comprised of Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf,
Holmes, Jackson, Liberty and Washington counties. www.myflorida.com.
Wireless support services provider to add 50 new
jobs. TALLAHASSEE
- Governor Jeb Bush applauded wireless support services provider
Tower Cloud LLC for locating its expanded operations in St.
Petersburg. A leader in wireless access infrastructure solutions,
Tower Cloud will create 50 new jobs, with an average wage
twice the County average and 96 percent higher than the state’s
average. “The expansion of Tower Cloud in St. Petersburg
is a victory for Pinellas County and Florida’s vital
information technology community,” said Governor Jeb
Bush. “As a technology pioneer, Tower Cloud adds to
the diversity and strength of our state’s economy.
The company’s commitment to job creation is encouraging
and I look forward to its continued success.” Tower
Cloud provides fiber and wireless transport services to wireless
carriers, enabling connection of cellular towers to the carrier’s
mobile switching centers with higher quality and reliability.
The company was formed by a team of executives and investors
who worked together while running Progress Energy’s
jointly owned telecommunications subsidiary, Progress Telecom,
LLC. Tower Cloud recently began focusing on the access network
requirements of wireless service providers. From its base
in Florida, the company plans to expand beyond its current
service markets in the Southeast. “With a diverse workforce
skilled in technology services, Florida is the ideal location
for our growing business,” said Tower Cloud CEO Ron
Mudry. “The state’s pro-business environment
and excellent teamwork between local and state economic developers
made this an easy decision for our executive team.” The
Governor’s Office of Tourism, Trade and Economic Development
worked with Enterprise Florida, Pinellas County Economic
Development, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners,
and the City of St. Petersburg on the project. Florida competed
with California and Illinois to become the company’s
location for expansion. www.myflorida.com.
WorkSource (Region 8) makes the latest edition of
Economic Development America magazine. WorkSource was cited in the
summer 2006 issue of EDA’s publication Economic Development
America for their tiered, targeted service model that provides
support to businesses based on size, industry, and specific
workforce needs. Economic Development America is a quarterly
production of a partnership among the Economic Development
Administration (EDA), the International Economic Development
Council (IEDC) and the National Association of Regional Councils
(NARC). See page 28 of the publication hyperlinked below
for the full reference.
http://www.eda.gov/ImageCache/EDAPublic/documents/pdfdocs2006/
edamerica_5fsummer06_2epdf/v1/edamerica_5fsummer06.pdf.
Dunbar high school program to be featured in a national
publication. Once again Lee County Public Schools is receiving
recognition for academic programs available to students in
our community. T.H.E. Journal, which features technology
in education publications, will be featuring the Dunbar High
School Academy for Technology Excellence as one of the most
innovative technology programs in the nation. Hundreds of
programs were reviewed, with only the top 15 being singled
out – and Dunbar High being profiled – in the
December 2006 journal publication. Dunbar High’s Academy
for Technology Excellence is and exciting program for high
school students, and is funded through a $3.5 million federal
magnet schools assistance grant. When they finish the program,
students will be prepared to excel in an information-based
technologically advanced society. The program offers ninth
through 12th-grade students hands-on experiences taught by
highly qualified, Industry - certified instructors. All ATE
students have the opportunity to acquire up to 13 recognized
industry technical computer certifications in areas associated
with information technology. Students completing any of the
component programs will have far greater fluency with technology,
with specific productivity software and with critical thinking
skills that embody so much of the technical work that they
do. The Academy offers honors credit and meets the requirements
for the Florida Gold Seal Scholarship. Students exiting these
programs will be ready to either advance to the next level
of formal education or directly enter the workforce and become
a technical specialist, systems engineer, PC support technician,
office end-user specialists, Web designer, software developer,
database administrator and many more. Upon graduation, students
will have all the prerequisite skills and knowledge to choose
a career path within the Information Technology (IT) field
and pursue it competitively in the job market and they will
have an impressive earning potential upon successful completion
of the program. Students also have the ability continue their
studies through a post-secondary education programs. Combined
with Dunbar’s rigorous Center for Math & Science
and AP programs, students who are part of the Academy for
Technology Excellence will have a competitive and empowering
edge over most college-bound students. For more information
contact Jana Hambruch, Project Director, Office of Zone & Attractor
Programs, 239-334-4513. www.leeschools.net.
The Nation
Education Secretary set to release action plan to
improve higher education. In response to a report released this week
by the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, U.S. Secretary
of Education Margaret Spellings will detail this week an action
plan aimed at improving the nation's system of higher education.
The Commission, established by Secretary Spellings one year
ago, was tasked with examining issues central to a quality
higher education, including accessibility, affordability and
accountability. Highlighting an obvious problem for the workforce,
the Commission noted in its report that "Too many Americans
just aren't getting the education that they need. There are
disturbing signs that many students who do earn degrees have
not actually mastered the reading, writing and thinking skills
we expect of college graduates." The Commission's report,
entitled, A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S.
Higher Education presents the following findings:
- College access, particularly for low-income
and minority students, is limited by inadequate academic
preparation, a
lack of information and persistent financial barriers;
- The
current financial aid system is confusing, complex and inefficient,
and is therefore frequently unable to direct
aid to the students who need it most; and
- There is a shortage
of clear, comprehensive, and accessible information about
the colleges and universities themselves,
including comparative data about cost and performance.
- The
Commission's report presented to Secretary Spellings the
following recommendations designed to improve the accessibility,
affordability and accountability of higher education:
- Student
academic preparation should be improved and financial aid
made available so that more students are able to access
and afford a quality higher education;
- The entire student
financial aid system should be simplified, restructured and
provided with incentives to better manage
costs and measure performance;
- A "robust culture of
accountability and transparency" should
be cultivated throughout the higher education system, aided
by new systems of data measurement and a publicly available
information database with comparable college information.
There should also be a greater focus on student learning
and development
of a more outcome-focused accreditation system;
- Colleges
and universities should embrace continuous innovation and
quality improvement; Federal investments should be targeted
to areas critical to America's global competitiveness,
such as math, science and foreign languages; and
- A strategy
for lifelong learning should be developed to increase awareness
and understanding of the importance
of
a college
education to every American's future.
To access this full article
and links to the full report go to: http://www.workforceatm.org/articles/template.cfm?results_art_filename=edplan.htm
Bush signs database bill - Citizens
will soon be able to see exactly how their tax dollars are
spent (From FedNews OnLine
9/27/2006). President George W. Bush on Tuesday signed S. 2590,
the Federal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act, which
creates a Google-like search engine for federal spending. "Every
April, Americans sit down and fill out their tax returns, and
they find out how much of their hard-earned money is coming
here to Washington. Once the tax dollars arrive here, most
Americans have little idea of where the money goes. And today,
our government is taking steps to change that. We believe that
the more we inform our American citizens, the better our government
will be," said Bush just before signing the bill. Sen.
Tom Coburn, R-OK, introduced the bill in April, but in late
July the bill was stalled by a secret hold that prevented it
from reaching the Senate floor. The bill passed on a unanimous
consent vote one day after Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, released
his hold on the bill. Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W. Va., had also
placed a hold on the bill, but he had released it a few days
before Stevens. "Every American has the right to know
how their government spends their money, and then to hold elected
officials accountable for those decisions. I applaud my colleagues
for unanimously supporting a bill that will aid the American
people in that effort. This bill is a small, but significant,
step toward changing the culture in Washington," said
Coburn. The Act had bipartisan support -- both Senate Majority
Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn., and Minority Leader Harry Reid,
D-Nev., -- were two early cosponsors. The bill tasks the Office
of Management and Budget with maintaining an Internet database
containing information about an entity receiving federal funding,
including:
* The entity's name
* The amount of any federal funds the entity has received in
each of the past 10 fiscal years
* An itemized breakdown of each transaction, including funding
agency, program source and a description of the purpose of
each funding action
* The location of the entity and primary location of performance,
including the city, state, Congressional district and country
* A unique identifier for each such entity and parent entity
Information concerning transactions involving individuals,
federal employees or matters of national security would not
be included. The new law forces OMB to post information from
FY 1999 onward by the end of FY 2009. Access this complete
article at: http://www.fednews-online.com?publicationId=9724
The text of the legislation can be found at http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=109_cong_billsdocid=f:s2590is.txt.pdf.
NASWA Workforce Bulletin Headlines - September 22, 2006.
- SENATORS SPECTER AND HARKIN SEEK MORE
FUNDING FOR LABOR, HEALTH AND EDUCATION PROGRAMS
- NASWA BOARD
TERMINATES WRIS DATA SHARING AGREEMENT
- EDUCATION SECRETARY
SET TO RELEASE ACTION PLAN TO IMPROVE HIGHER EDUCATION
- USDOL AWARDS GRANTS TO INCREASE SELF-EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES
FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES
- NEW NASWA AFFILIATE
PROGRAM OPENS SOME NASWA SERVICES TO BROADER WORKFORCE
SYSTEM
- STATE LEADERSHIP FORUM - REGISTER TO ATTEND NOVEMBER
1
- NOMINATIONS TO SERVE ON NASWA COMMITTEES DUE
TODAY
- NASWA 2006 ANNUAL NATIONAL LMI DIRECTORS
CONFERENCE OCTOBER 10-13, 2006
Access the complete articles at: http://www.workforceatm.org/sections/members/bulletin/bulltemp.cfm?results_art_filename=bu092206.htm.
Grant and Competitive Award Opportunities
and Notices
Featured Opportunity:
(none)
State Grants Community
Workforce Housing Innovation Pilot Program (CWHIP)
My Hometown Helper Grant Program Federal Grants
Lead Hazard Reduction Demonstration Program Reopened
NCRR Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25) Foundation Grants
Regular Upward Bound (UB), Veterans Upward Bound (VUB) and
Upward Bound Math and Science (UBMS) Program Grants
Nursing Workforce Diversity Grants
Regional Environmental Priorities (REP)
Scholarships/Awards
Southern Growth’s 2007 Innovator Award Nominations. Southern Growth Policies Board is seeking nominations for the
2007 Innovator Awards. Each year, Southern Growth’s Innovator
Awards honor inventive programs that are improving the quality
of life in the region. The 2007 Innovator Awards will be chosen
from initiatives that address workforce development challenges
in the South. Nominations must comply with the criteria listed
below.
Each nominated initiative must fulfill the following criteria:
- Be truly unique—or highly unusual
- Provide a proven
track record or other reliable measures of future success
In addition, each initiative should exhibit one or more
of the following characteristics:
- Demonstrate collaboration
between or among regions (multi-state, multi-county)
- Create
seamless links between education, welfare, workforce and
economic development activities
- Promote entrepreneurship
Encourage workplace innovations
- Empower workers to take
charge of their own careers and supports lifetime learning
- Promote collaboration and partnerships across sectors
(public/private/nonprofit)
- Serve dislocated workers or non-traditional
populations (immigrants, minorities, disabled)
- Engage workforce
intermediaries (organizations that act as go-betweens for
workers seeking
employment and
businesses
seeking
workers) to serve business and workforce
development interests
- Target high-growth, high-wage industries
and/or support regional industry clusters
- Provide training, skills and certification programs that
are portable across industries
and state boundaries
Deadline for nominations is October 23, 2006. Online submissions
of nominations preferred at: http://www.southern.org/main/innovators/nomform.shtml.
Nomination forms may also be downloaded at: http://www.southern.org/main/innovators/innfairNomin2007.pdf
An outside evaluation panel will choose one innovator from
each Southern Growth member state for this award. Southern
Growth Policies Board will present the awards at the opening
session of the Southern Workforce Summit conference that
will be held on June 3-5, 2007 in St. Louis, Missouri. For
specific
questions regarding potential nominees, please contact Sandra
Johnson at mailto: sjohnson@southern.org or 919-941-5145.
For more information on Southern Growth Policies Board, visit
http://www.southern.org/ Upcoming Meetings, Conferences and
Events
Workforce Florida Board and Related Meetings Schedule:
For up-to-date WFI board meeting info please check the calendar at the WFI website.
October 18, 2006
WFI Council Chairmen Teleconference - 9:00am - 10:00am
WFI Executive Committee Teleconference - 10:00am - 11:30am
November 29, 2006
Executive Directors (Partners) Meeting
Orlando, FL
Location TBD
November 30, 2006
Board of Directors, Council & Committee Meetings
Orlando, FL
Location TBD
Other Meetings/Conferences/Events:
Florida's Future Corridors Statewide Workshop
October 4 - 5, 2006
Sheraton Suites Tampa Airport
Tampa, Florida
This important workshop will provide statewide partners
and other interested parties with opportunities to comment
on, discuss and work toward consensus on draft criteria and
supporting policies for identifying and developing future corridors
in Florida. The workshop will include discussion of maximizing
the use of existing corridors, including the potential for
modifying what modes should be included and how each could
be used to move people and freight, as well as the potential
need for new corridors. A more detailed agenda will be available
later. Because attendance is expected to be high, we ask that
everyone submit a meeting registration form as far in advance
as possible (but we will have a late registration starting
at 8:00 am on October 4). In addition, since only a limited
number of rooms have been reserved, anyone needing a room should
reserve it as soon as possible, but no later than 9/18/06.
Please go to http://www.dot.state.fl.us/planning/corridor/ for the registration and hotel links.
October 5, 2006 - 3:00 - 4:00 P.M. EDT
A Telecast on Regional Economic Development in Florida
This telecast will showcase “best practice” examples
of regional economic development in Florida, and will feature
interviews with Florida Governor Jeb Bush and other leaders
from the public and private sectors, who are collaborating
across political boundaries to meet the challenges of 21st
century economic development. The Miami and Tampa/Clearwater
Regions in the South Central Florida Mega Region will be featured.
The show will also feature a part of NARC’s 5th Annual
Metropolitan Regions Forum that will focus on Florida, and
bring together the twenty largest metropolitan regions across
the United States. Topics addressed will include: infrastructure
(transportation, environmental, financing), linkages to the
global economy, workforce development, and faith-based initiatives.
This Economic Development Today telecast, the last in the 2005-2006
series, is brought to you as part of a cooperative agreement
between the Economic Development Administration (EDA), The
International Economic Development Council (IEDC) and the National
Association of Regional Councils (NARC). This telecast is FREE.
To download a pdf version of the flier and print a registration
form, visit the NARC website at: http://narc.org/uploads/File/07Oct5Telecast.pdf
Return the form via email to Tadej@narc.org, fax to 202.986.1038
or mail to the National Association of Regional Councils, 1666
Connecticut Ave NW #300, Washington, DC 200009.
If you are a cable or public television station we encourage
you to tape this program and broadcast it to your viewers at
any time. Please let us know how many viewers you are capable
of reaching. In order to view the telecast, you will need to
be in a location that can receive KU or C Band capabilities
or DISH Network (DISH Network is broadcasted at the same time.)
This telecast will not be accessible through the internet.
If your building/office does not have these capabilities, we
suggest that you try and contact other businesses, associations,
or organizations that you think might be interested in hosting
you. Often, universities and community colleges have these
capabilities and are willing to host participants. If you have
any questions or concerns with finding a site, please email
Peggy Tadej at the NARC office or call 202-986-1032 x 224.
October 5, 2006 - 2:00pm Eastern
1:00pm/Central, 12:00pm/Mountain, 10:00am/Pacific - 90 minutes
Webinar: Competency Model Clearinghouse - Tools for Talent
Development
NEW! The webinar for the Competency Model Clearinghouse was
developed to provide insights about competency models and how
they can be used in the Workforce Investment System to ensure
that the skill needs of the business community are met. This
web-based Clearinghouse can be used along with interactive
tools to develop a customized competency model for a critical
industry or occupation within an economic region. It includes
a searchable database that shows how competencies form the
foundation for the development of curriculum, assessment instruments,
certifications, and skill standards. The Clearinghouse also
illustrates how competency models have been used successfully
in recruitment efforts, to develop career pathways, and to
support economic development efforts. The Competency Model
Clearinghouse is the repository for the Framework of Competencies
for the High Growth Job Training Industries. This Framework
was developed collaboratively by ETA and industry experts.
Join us for this informative webinar to learn more about how
competency models can be used to focus and enhance critical
talent development efforts within your region.
Registration for this Webinar is limited and seating is on
a first-come, first-served basis. Please click the link below
to login to Workforce3 One and register today!
http://www.workforce3one.org/public/skillbuilding/webinar_info.cfm?id=124
Oct. 6, 2006
2006 Florida Children's Summit
North Concourse, Orlando/Orange County Convention Center
The 2006 Florida Children's Summit is designed to create
a shared vision of the State of Florida's commitment to its
children and families. Convened by leaders in the Florida House
and Senate, it will launch a long-term process to develop and
implement strategies for moving a shared vision forward in
2007 and beyond, including specific legislative policy recommendations
regarding children's issues. This historic event will bring
together statewide leaders, advocates and elected officials
from across the state to discuss important issues facing Florida's
children and families. For more information go to: http://www.childrensweek.org/summit/index.htm.
October 10-12, 2006
Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance
St. Louis, Missouri
NEW! The accelerated development and rapid commercialization
of renewable energy technologies is a high national priority,
and is central to President Bush’s Advanced Energy Initiative,
which seeks to change the way we power our cars, homes and
businesses through alternative energy sources. As President
Bush said in his State of the Union Address, “Keeping
America competitive requires affordable energy. And here we
have a serious problem: America is addicted to oil, which is
often imported from unstable parts of the world. The best way
to break this addiction is through technology.” Accelerating
the development and use of alternative energy sources is not
only a critical national security issue, but is key to maintaining
America’s economic competitiveness, as well as a tremendous
opportunity for farmers, businesses, and rural communities
across our nation. To explore these opportunities, we invite
you to join us in St. Louis, Missouri, on October 10-12, 2006,
for Advancing Renewable Energy: An American Rural Renaissance.
Jointly hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), this conference will
bring together key stakeholders in biofuels, wind, and solar
energy to:
—
Identify major issues including partnership opportunities facing
decision makers both within government and in the private sector.
—
Identify critical pathways to rapid deployment of renewable
energy technologies; identify bottlenecks; and make policy
recommendations for resolving these issues.
—
Examine policy incentives such as tax credits, loan guarantees,
expedited approval processes, and other measures to increase
certainty, reduce risk, and accelerate the deployment of new
energy sources.
—
Advance understanding of the opportunities and issues involved
in the integration of distributed energy production into legacy
systems.
DOE and USDA lead the federal effort on research, development,
and commercialization of new energy sources. Senior policy
and administrative personnel of both agencies will participate
in the conference, as will leaders from the private sector,
research, and business communities.
Advancing Renewable Energy presents a unique opportunity to
meet with the leaders of the renewable energy sector at a critical
moment of its development. Participants will include federal,
state, and local officials; utility and energy company executives;
investors; farmers; as well as members from non-governmental
organizations. To Register for the Conference go to: https://www.technologyforums.com/6en/register.asp
October 12-13, 2006
2006 National Transitional Jobs Network Conference: Strengthening
Communities - Building the Workforce of the Future - Transitional
Jobs Work
Atlanta, Georgia
Join program administrators, policy advocates, government
officials, and funders to discuss how to design, implement,
evaluate and advocate for Transitional Jobs programs to meet
the needs of hard- to- employ populations across the country.
The conference will spotlight TJ programs working with ex-offenders,
welfare recipients, youth, and other hard-to-employ populations.
Conference participants will have the opportunity to customize
their conference experience through the selection of breakout
sessions and visit a Transitional Jobs program in Atlanta,
GA. Conference speakers will include Michael L. Thurmond, Commissioner
of the Georgia Department of Labor; Dennis Schrantz, Director
of Policy and Planning for the Michigan Department of Corrections;
Shirley Franklin, Mayor of Atlanta; and Mason Bishop, Deputy
Assistant Secretary of Employment and Training Administration
in the U.S. Department of Labor. For more information go to:
http://www.transitionaljobs.net/Events/Events.htm.
October 13, 2006 (8 AM until 3 PM)
AMERICA’S EVERGLADES - Construction Symposium and Exhibition
Florida Gulf Coast University, in the AlicoArena
NEW! The South Florida Water Management District will host
its second annual Acceler8 Construction Symposium and Exhibition
on Friday October13, 2006 at Florida Gulf Coast University,
in the AlicoArena. This all-day event for construction contractors,
specialty contractors, vendors and work-force development agencies
will provide information on the $1.8 billion construction program
for Acceler8, a group of eight fast-tracked projects needed
for Everglades restoration. Construction on these projects
has already begun, but contractors and workers continue to
be needed through 2010. The symposium will provide details
on the pre-qualification process for all Acceler8 contracts.
For more information, please visit www.evergladesnow.org. Display
booths are available for vendors, contractors, specialty subcontractors,
and work force development agencies. Call toll free at 1-800-488-1255
if you would like to take part as an exhibitor in this important
event!
October 23-27, 2006
YouthBuild Transformation Institute (includes 3 events!)
Sheraton Midtown Atlanta Hotel at Colony Square
NEW! The YouthBuild Transformation Institute provides opportunities
to learn the research and theory on effective youth work, discover
and practice new skills, spread promising and effective approaches,
and build relationships and alliances which can accelerate
the work of youth transformation. Past attendees have included
program directors, frontline staff, funders, and policy-makers
from the youth development, youth employment, juvenile justice,
and alternative education arenas. The YouthBuild Transformation
Institute at the Sheraton Midtown Atlanta Hotel at Colony Square
offers 3 separate events:
November 1, 2006
Defining and Planning the Future Workforce System
The Providence Hotel
Providence, Rhode Island
In a time of rapid and deep change in the workforce
development system it is important that state leaders position
themselves
as strategic and deliberative agents of innovation. This forum
offers state leaders the opportunity to examine new perspectives
with nationally acclaimed trainers and to network and learn
from their national colleagues. Through facilitated discussion,
state teams will explore the trends and challenges of the workforce
development system, discuss future operational options, and
help redefine state leadership roles. The ten “trends” to
be analyzed include:
- Redefining mission to align with
economic development;
- Responding to demand -- the demand-driven
way to plan and
organize services;
- Creating a workforce system -- moving
beyond the “required
government program partners” to other public, non-profit
and for profit organizations;
- Shifting to a skill-based
system;
- Increasing access, reducing costs and serving more
customers;
- Changing service delivery paradigms (i.e.,
virtual delivery systems);
- Integrating service delivery;
- Developing and certifying
skills;
- Redefining performance and accountability;
- Positioning
state-funded programs, services, and products within the
context of workforce development.
For more information about and to register for this day-long
event go to: http://www.workforceatm.org/training/cesertraining.cfm. November 6-9, 2006
2006 Workforce Development Week
Arlington, VA
The Performance Institute is presenting the 2006 Workforce
Development Week in Arlington, Virginia on November 6-9, 2006.
This conference will feature three days of focused workforce
development training in the areas of one-stop performance,
employer outreach and workforce marketing, demand-driven workforce
strategies and performance measures for workforce development.
The workforce investment system’s recent transition to
a demand-driven system at the federal, state and local level
requires a new level of collaboration from all workforce stakeholders.
The new demand-driven and high-growth system calls for partnerships
between the workforce investment system, employers, community
colleges and other training providers. By enhancing the capacity
of workforce institutions, One-Stops, employers and colleges
can effectively train workers to develop the skills required
to succeed in high growth/high demand industries. To help design,
measure and market workforce products and services to achieve
the desired outcomes for your One-Stop and workforce development
programs, the Perfomance Institute invites you join them for
the 2006 Workforce Development Week, November 6-9, 2006 in
Arlington, VA. For more information visit the Performance Institute
online at: http://www.PerformanceWeb.org/WDW.
November 8 - 10, 2006
Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Workforce Education
National Conference
Troy, New York
NEW! The first national conference on workforce education
for the renewable energy and energy efficiency trades and
industries will be held at Hudson Valley Community College
in Troy, New York. The conference is sponsored by the New
York State Energy Research and Development Authority. The
event is an opportunity for educational providers and faculty
at Technical High Schools, Community Colleges, 4-Year Schools
and other training programs to learn about best practices
and effective approaches to teaching renewable energy and
energy efficiency workforce skills. Sessions will deal with
some of the critical workforce topics such as jobs and how
to prepare for workforce needs; how to create a Vocational
High School Trade Program to Community College to 4-Year
College articulation agreements; model solar energy, wind
energy, energy efficiency, geothermal curricula and programs;
and how to integrate energy efficiency and renewable energy
into other trades on campus. Other important areas will be
covered including industry-based task analysis certification
and training standards; establishing successful business
and industry advisory committees; conducting local job market
assessments; and creating hands-on renewable energy laboratories.
This is a two-day conference that will be followed by a third
day of optional workshops focusing on such topics as Photovoltaics,
Wind Energy Systems, Solar Thermal, Energy Audits, and Course
Development.
On Wednesday, November 8, Michael Eckhart, President of the
American Council on Renewable Energy, will open the conference
with the plenary discussion on the growth of renewable energy
global markets. To download the Conference Registration Brochure,
please visit the IREC website at: http://www.irecusa.org/.
November 13-14, 2006
Southeast ICT 2006
Chapel Hill, NC
NEW! The e-NC Authority will hold a Wireless and ICT Conference
on November 13-14, 2006 at the William and Ida Friday Center
in Chapel Hill, NC. For the past three years, the Southeast
Wireless Symposium has brought together national experts
and community leaders to discuss the deployment of wireless
networks. In 2006, the e-NC Authority is expanding the scope
of the conference to cover Information and Communication
Technologies, a broader concept that encompasses information
technology infrastructure generally, with specific emphasis
on broadband Internet technologies and the powerful applications
they deliver. This year's Southeast ICT Symposium will focus
on the new and evolving technical, political, legal, and
financial issues surrounding municipal broadband deployment.
Industry experts and community leaders will present research
results and practical hands-on experience derived from case
studies on applying ICT to create digital communities and
enhance rural life. For more information go to: http://www.e-nc.org/WirelessICT2006/index.asp.
Nov. 30 - Dec. 2, 2006
2006 ACTE Convention and Career Tech Expo
Connecting Education and Careers:
Georgia World Congress Center, Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is gearing up for a great professional development
experience. At the end of November, more than 5,000 career
and technical educators will travel to the PeachPico Collection
State to participate in the only professional development event
dedicated to the entire career and technical education (CTE)
field. From November 30 to December 2, career and technical
educators will have their choice of workshops, seminars and
sessions on a wide variety of CTE topics. Register today and
you can get the best rates, your choice of hotel options, and
first choice on the pre-Convention workshop. All of the information
you need is located in the right-hand navigation bar. So, take
some time, take a look, and then make the choice to join your
colleagues in Atlanta. For more information and to register
visit: www.acteonline.org.
December 2 – 5, 2006
2006 National Workforce Association’s 5th Annual Conference
St. Petersburg, FL
The 2006 NWA Conference is a tremendous opportunity for
Workforce Development and Human Service stakeholders to address
the vast range of issues that will shape the direction of workforce
development and human services programs in our country for
years to come. It will focus on the important themes which
dominate the key discussions in our national capitol, state
capitols and our local communities.
* Nationally recognized policy makers will detail the transient
nature of the reauthorization process and the potential impacts
on state and local areas.
* Local workforce directors and human services administrators
from all over the country will share promising practices designed
to assist you in coordinating your local activities in the
context of the new consolidated Workforce System.
* Senior congressional staff will provide an insiders view
of the congressional budget process and the finer points of
the appropriations process.
* Learn about the new performance measures that have been proposed
by the Department of Labor
* Hear from prominent national politicians about what to expect
in the 110th Congress and the 2006 mid-term election results.
And finally get first hand information from a leader in the
United Sates Senate about their views of the congressional
budget process and the funding challenges facing many domestic
programs. For registration go to:
http://www.nwaonline.org/siteassets/documents/20061stFlyer.pdf.
December 4-7, 2006
2006 National Youth Development Symposium
ENGAGE, EDUCATE, EMPLOY - YOUTH!
Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Suites - Chicago, IL
The Presenter Call for Proposal has been issued. The
goal of the 7th Annual National Youth Development Symposium is
to
provide best practices and program guidance to workforce development
professionals who serve youth. Our intent is to provide support
for those dedicated individuals working to be a strong foundation
for youth and to provide them with the necessary tools to enter
the workforce as productive adults.
Workshop topical areas include:
•
Engaging youth with their future, young men with their communities,
hardest-to-serve youth with programs that can help them, and
adult youth workers with the youth they serve.
•
Educating youth in ways that meet the new demands of the 21st
Century workplace - technology, teamwork, literacy & numeracy,
online learning, career academies and alternative education,
internships, online learning.
•
Employing youth in good jobs with opportunities to learn and
advance by satisfying the business needs of employers.
The Symposium experience will also offer attendees the opportunity
to browse through an Exhibit Area offering additional resources
and contacts that may be valuable to serving youth.
Pre-symposuim sessions will be held Monday afternoon, December
4th and Tuesday morning, December 5th. Full Symposium starts
at 1:00 pm on Tuesday, December 5th. Workshops will be announced
September 15th. For more information go to: http://www.theeventconn.com/events/conf.php?get=info&eid=18.
Odds and Ends
South is home to 42 of America’s fastest growing Hispanic
businesses – 24 located in Florida. The southern region
serves as home to nearly half of America’s 100 Fastest
Growing Hispanic-Owned firms. To learn more about high-growth
Hispanic entrepreneurship in your state visit: http://www.hispanicbusiness.com/_client/pdf/2006_100Fastest1.pdf
Enterprise Florida’s Regional Catalyst Project. Enterprise
Florida is implementing a rural strategic marketing effort
to gather economic intelligence and perspectives for each
of Florida’s three Rural Areas of Critical Economic
Concern (RACEC). The Rural Economic Development Catalyst
Project will target tomorrow’s industries with the
goal of creating value-added jobs, capital investment, and
an economic ripple effect throughout each RACEC. The third
sessions for each RACEC will identify the target industries
that matter most, the target companies that provide context
and opportunities, and rules of the road for the site selection
process.
Below is information on each of the remaining sessions.
North Central RACEC Session Three: Thursday, October 26,
1:00-4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Lake City, FL
Northwest RACEC Session Three: Monday, November 6, 2:00-5:00
p.m. (Eastern Time)
Bristol, FL
South Central RACEC Session Three: Wednesday, November 8,
1:00-4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time)
Sebring, FL
For more detailed information go to: http://www.eflorida.com/strategicplan/ruralbase.asp?sectionid=26.
Able Trust accepts apps for Youth Leadership Forum
2007. The Able Trust is currently accepting applications for the
Florida Youth Leadership Forum (YLF), a unique leadership
program that will take place July 19-22, 2007, in Tallahassee.
Fifty current high school sophomores and juniors who have
disabilities will be selected as delegates for the forum.
The YLF, which is co-sponsored by The Able Trust and the
Florida Developmental Disabilities Council, is designed to
bring together young people with disabilities with leadership
potential and help prepare them for the future. The YLF will
include educational programs that cover topics such as the
history of the disability movement, personal leadership plans,
career opportunities and academic and community resources.
Delegates will learn leadership by example through meetings
with disability community leaders, business professionals
and government dignitaries. Student delegates will reflect
a diverse mix of disabilities, gender, geographic location
and ethnicity. Applicants should demonstrate leadership skills,
participation in extracurricular activities, community involvement
and academic achievement. Applicants should have the ability
to interact effectively with other students, adapt to new
surroundings, follow an intense schedule of forum activities
and demonstrate a willingness to participate in small and
large group discussions. Selected student delegates must
show proof of health insurance (private insurance, KidsCare,
Medicaid acceptable). Delegates will be housed at Southgate
Campus Centre, a private dormitory between Florida State
University and Florida A & M University. Chaperones,
medical attendants and security will be provided. There is
no fee for delegates to attend the YLF. The Able Trust will
pay all travel and living/meal expenses through corporate
sponsorships and donations. The deadline to submit an application
is Friday, November 17, 2006. For more information about
the Florida Youth Leadership Forum, visit www.floridaylf.org.
Internet recruiting site Jobs4.0 debuts, exclusively
serving over-40 job market. (BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 26, 2006--Jobs4.0
(www.jobs4point0.com) announces the launch of the first online
job board focusing exclusively on job opportunities for candidates
ages 40 and above, making it the first and only job board
for employers seeking to hire experienced workers. "We're
excited about filling such an important niche in the job
search marketplace" said Jobs4.0 founder and CEO (Chief
Employment Officer) Steven J. Greenberg. "U.S. labor
demographics clearly reveal the increasing prevalence of
mature workers for both men and women. Savvy employers are
looking to hire more experienced workers, but traditional
job boards simply aren't designed to meet their needs. Mature
workers have learned the hard way that having 'too much experience'
is often fatal to even being considered for jobs found on
the mainstream job boards and classified ads." Jobs4.0's
corporate customers understand that older workers generally
work more efficiently and with far greater stability than
younger workers. "Employee retention is much higher
with older workers, they require less training and they're
an excellent source for temporary or seasonal work",
Greenberg said. "Moreover, by actively seeking over-40
job candidates through Jobs4.0, participating companies demonstrate
a commitment to their equal opportunity hiring policies." Jobs4.0
is the product of years of research on how the seismic changes
in worker demographics will impact the recruiting strategies
and attitudes of companies throughout the U.S. Over the next
10 years, over 76 million baby boomers will retire, but only
46 million younger workers are in line to replace them. As
a result, "even those companies that don't immediately
recognize the skills and knowledge that mature workers offer
will be compelled to look anew at the over-40 talent pool.
And Jobs4.0 will be the place to do that,"
Greenberg said. In addition to its job board, Jobs4.0 will
provide editorial content geared toward baby-boomer job trends.
Special features include profiles of successful executives
who began their careers after 40, and a yearly survey of
the country's best employers for over-40 workers. "Jobs4.0
is competitively priced, not only far below recruiters' fees,
but our introductory packages are lower than all of the major
job boards and classified advertising services," Greenberg
added. Jobs4.0 lists full, part-time and seasonal positions
in all job categories across the U.S., and it allows job
seekers to review all job listings without charge. Employers
pay to post opportunities classified by job category and
location for each position. http://www.csrwire.com/PressRelease.php?id=6418.
Best in Shows. Ever wanted to attend an important conference
or convention but just couldn't make it? The staff of Workforce
Management brings you reports from key workforce management
conventions and conferences throughout the year in this exclusive
Web feature. We'll report on the buzz at each show as well
as highlights from selected seminars, presentations and speeches.
We hope that Best in Shows will be the next best thing to
actually being there. For links to these reports go to: http://www.workforce.com/section/01/feature/24/32/75/index.html
Quote for the Week:
“I can't get old; I'm working. I was old when I was twenty-one and out of work.
As long as you're working, you stay young.
”
George Burns (1896 - 1996)
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