By
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao| This is a time of tremendous change in our economy—in how we work, where we work, and how our professional lives integrate with our family lives. What we refer to as the New Economy presents both opportunities and challenges: thousands of better-paying, stimulating jobs—in safe working conditions with abundant potential for advancement. But to achieve these outcomes, we need to take action. |
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o be responsive to workers' needs, the Department of Labor should enable the American workforce to adapt to and seize the opportunities the changing economy provides. Thanks to Congress we have a new road map and framework for the Workforce Investment Act. It creates a national workforce preparation and employment system to meet the needs of the nation's workers and employers. This system is designed and managed at the local level by volunteers from business, labor and other local organizations and institutions. This system, America's Workforce Network, invests in critical job training that enables workers to manage their careers.
But we need more fresh ideas and new partnerships to prepare the workforce for the future. This is why I recently announced our new Office of the 21st Century Workforce. The first responsibility of this new office will be to hold a Summit on the 21st Century Workforce this year, where we will call on leaders from labor unions, government, business and elsewhere to address the structural changes that are affecting our workforce and our economy. Continued