News release, Nov. 10, 1999

Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release
Georgia Department of
Labor
Suite 642 148 International Boulevard N.E.
Atlanta, Georgia 30303-1751 (404)656-3032

November 10, 1999

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

STATEWIDE WORKFORCE CONFERENCE TO BE HELD IN ATLANTA

ATLANTA -- State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond said today that the Georgia Department of Labor will sponsor the statewide Georgia Workforce Conference next month in Atlanta. The conference will bring together representatives of both the private and public sectors to discuss the status of the state's workforce and its development for the future.

"As we move into the new global economy, it's increasingly apparent that the number one factor determining competitiveness is the quality of the workforce," said Thurmond. "One thing is abundantly clear: We must train and educate a world-class workforce to maintain our competitive edge in this environment.

"The Workforce Investment Act of 1998 gives us the tools to develop a system to educate and train those workers," the commissioner continued. "During the upcoming conference, professionals from business, education and government will discuss the implementation and impact of the Act, and share ideas about the challenges and opportunities it offers. Working together, we will build the workforce needed to meet the rapidly-changing needs of our employers."

The two-day conference will open at 9 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 9, and continue until noon on Friday, Dec. 10, at the Georgia World Congress Center. The centerpiece of the conference will be the unveiling of a model one-stop center, focusing on the department's various services and products for employers and job-seekers.

Topics of discussion include: Building One-Stop Systems, the Nuts and Bolts of the WIA, Working With the Inexperienced Worker, Individual Training Accounts, Demographic Trends and Youth Opportunities Under the WIA. Also, Apprenticeship Opportunities, Capitalizing on the

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Georgia Department of Labor - Press Release
Untapped Potential of Special Populations, Effective Local Partnerships Within Georgia, Improving Your Bottom Line and World-Class Employees.

In addition to Thurmond, other key speakers Thursday include: Gov. Roy Barnes, U.S. Sen. Max Cleland, Lt. Gov. Mark Taylor and Clark Atlanta University professor Edward Irons. Dr. Donald Ratajczak of Georgia State University, one of the nation's leading economists, will speak Friday.

An education forum to be held Friday morning will include: Dr. Ken Breeden, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Technical and Adult Education, University System Chancellor Stephen Portch, State School Superintendent Linda Schrenko and Otis Brumby, chairman of the Georgia Board of Education. Also, author and lecturer Dr. Ben Bissell will speak during the conference.

A highlight of the conference will be the unveiling of the Georgia Department of Labor's Workforce Center. It will showcase the new system of delivering a full-range of customer-focused services at the local level.

For more conference information, visit the labor department's website at www.dol.state.ga.us. To register for the conference, contact Cathy Bexley at (404) 656-3050. The registration fee is $175 until Nov.18, $225 after that.

E-mail: communications@dol.state.ga.us.

FY-00-252

An Equal Opportunity Employer

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