ADVISORY/Executives, Workforce Experts, Respond to State of the Union and Community College Training Programs; Recommendations on How to Best Serve Labor-Short Industries.

Business Editors

ADVISORY...for Tuesday (Feb. 24)

--(BUSINESS WIRE)

What:

One-hour audio conference, "Training the Next Generation of Workers:
The Win-Win of Workforce Partners," sponsored by the Ford Foundation.

When:

Tuesday, February 24, 2004 at 12:00-1:00PM EST / 9:00-10:00AM PST

Why:

In his State of the Union address, President Bush proposed "increasing
our support for America's fine community colleges...so they can train
workers for the industries that are creating the most new jobs."
Further, the President's budget notes that while "community colleges
are increasingly critical providers of job training...their potential
has not been fully realized." The budget provides $250 million for a
new employer-focused grant program for training in community and
technical colleges, focusing on industries with labor shortages.

Who:

Executives whose workforce needs already have been met by training
programs offered at community colleges and by other workforce partners
will describe how they proceeded, offering individual templates for
success. They will also discuss the timeliness of the President's call
for closely aligning training programs with workforce needs.

Additionally, participants will:

    --  Demonstrate how targeted training programs at community
        colleges and other types of workforce partnerships promote
        long-term economic growth

    --  Issue recommendations on what elements are needed to assure
        success for the training programs envisioned by the President

    --  Describe successful strategies for forging win-win
        relationships with economic development partners--community
        colleges, trade and employer groups, governmental agencies,
        NGOs, and community-based organizations and other nonprofits.

Speakers:

Branka Minic, Director, Professional Services, Manpower, Inc.
Stephen Wing, Director of Government Hiring Programs, CVS Corporation
Patrick Flavin, Manager of Government Programs, TJX Companies
Randy Ray, Manager Training and Development, Standard Aero
Peter Jensen, Vice President of Western Region, Monterey Mushrooms
Robert Giloth, Director Family Economic Success, Annie E. Casey
 Foundation
John Colborn, Deputy Director of the Economic Development Unit, Ford
 Foundation
Cindy Marano, Project Director, National Network of Sector Partners
 (NNSP)
Beth Buehlmann, Executive Director, Center for Workforce Preparation,
 U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Pam Tate, President and CEO, CAEL
David Villarino, Executive Director, Farmworker Institute for
 Education and Leadership Development (FIELD)

Please RSVP to Missy at [phone] by Friday, February 20th, as
space is limited. Dial-in information will be provided at that time.