Via Bronwyn Mauldin at Workforce Developments, here's info on Labor Secretary Solis's webinar on the role that green jobs will play in the economic recovery. You can watch the video and read all the questions and answers here. Staff reports they will continue answering questions over the next few days.
Some highlights (in case you aren't able to visit Bronwyn's blog):
On DOL's new priorities:
My
priorities for the Department's FY 2010 budget include promoting a
"green" recovery, beginning to restore the capacity of our worker
protection programs to vigorously carry out their mission, ensuring
that our programs are transparent and accountable, and promoting
diversity and stakeholder inclusion in every aspect of the Department.
On unemployment:
While
the Obama Administration's efforts are beginning to turn the economy
around, millions of Americans, who are willing to work but cannot find
a job, are being helped by the current Federal unemployment benefit
extension. As we get closer to the end of the year, when the current
program is scheduled to expire, the Administration will be taking a
close look at economic conditions and the continued need for benefits.
On apprenticeship:
The
Department is actively working on a comprehensive set of Solicitation
for Grant Award which will, amongst other policy goals, encourage
greater partnerships with and promotion of Registered Apprenticeship
programs. Also in our ARRA Policy Guidance, we are encouraging the
publicly funded workforce system to more actively reach out to
Registered Apprenticeship programs, including labor management
organizations.
Finally, in the past year, ETA has provided over
$10 million in discretionary resources to support and promote
Registered Apprenticeship. $6.5 million was made available to national
organizations to incorporate elements of the revised regulatory
framework governing the National Apprenticeship System. $2.5 million
was made available to State Apprenticeship Agencies to assist in their
efforts to modernize their Apprenticeship systems. Finally, technical
assistance resources were provided for a series of Action Clinics
around the country to promote greater collaboration with Registered
Apprenticeship.
On the Career Pathways/Community College program:
This
program was not cut. The 2009 budget included $125 million for
Community-Based Job Training Grants. The 2010 budget renames and
refocuses that program as Career Pathways Innovation Fund and increases
funding to $135 million. The new program will focus on developing
career pathways in community colleges for high-growth careers in
partnership with workforce investment boards, faith-based groups and
other community groups.
On Workforce Investment Act reauthorization:
We
have received numerous letters identifying issues relevant to
reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act, and we are
appreciative of your interest and input. The Department looks forward
to working with Congress and stakeholders as legislation takes shape.
President Obama has called on Congress to work with him to reauthorize
the Workforce Investment Act, and the Department's FY 2010
Congressional Budget Request continues to support efforts to improve
the effectiveness of the workforce system. The Administration is
conducting a comprehensive review of federal job training programs to
assess their effectiveness, which will inform the Administration's
proposal for an improved workforce system.
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