Unemployment has been an especially high-profile issue during
the past few years. Venturing into and returning to the work force
have been difficult for many, as has the ability to advance in
one's chosen field. However, the economy has not been the only
obstacle for the unemployed. Some workers have been hindered by a
lack of education and training, and often, adequate training is not
available to those who want to begin a new career. In addition,
some industries haven't had the resources to grow, and employers
haven't had as much input into the government's attempts to improve
the situation as they should.
"The employment system always has operated as a social service
system, looking one by one at the people walking in rather than
entire groups or industries," says Emily DeRocco, the assistant
secretary for the Employment and Training Administration (ETA) at
the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
ETA is striving to create a public work force system that will
help workers access not only jobs, but careers. ETA plans to do
this by finding where jobs are and knowing the necessary skills to
obtain and advance in those jobs. With $15 billion in resources to
invest, ETA's planned collaboration of the public work force system
with business and training providers should lead to more than a
"walk-in" experience.
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