By Melissa Grothus
February 11, 2008

Mayors’ workforce development directors from across the country gathered in Washington (DC) January 22-23, for The U.S. Conference of Mayors Workforce Development Council (WDC) Annual Winter Meeting, held in conjunction with the 76th Annual Winter Conference of the Mayors. WDC President, Workforce Development Council of Seattle-King County CEO Kris Stadelman presided over the session, which focused primarily on the outlook for workforce development programs during the second session of the 110th Congress.

“I believe WIA [The Workforce Investment Act] reauthorization should happen this year. We need to establish its role in our current economic situation and waiting to reauthorize the bill will not allow this to happen,” said Representative John Yarmuth (KY) of the House Education and Labor Committee in his keynote address.

Yarmuth explained that, while the stimulus package is the buzz in Washington, reauthorization of the Workforce Investment Act is critical to assure the country’s continued economic success. “There is no better time to sell WIA then when everyone is talking about the economy,” he said in response to inquiries on how to get the legislation moving in committee. He suggested that the group not only reach out to members of the Education and Labor Committee but also to House Leadership, specifically House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (CA), as WIA reauthorization is a solid vessel for moving forward with an economic agenda and will help “restore faith in the future.”

Senate Finance and House Ways and Means Committee Staff joined the group to discuss the status of Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) reauthorization and the implications for the workforce investment system.

House Ways and Means Staff explained that there were several overarching goals in TAA reauthorization that are reflected in the House bill, including expansion of worker training; revamping training and making it longer term; and making the system more user-friendly. “The current system is incredibly complex and I am a trade counsel by training,” explained Viji Rangaswami, Deputy Staff Director of the Subcommittee on Trade for the Ways and Means, in order to emphasize the importance to Chairman Charles Rangel (NY) to increase TAA system transparency.

Hun Quach, International Trade Analyst for the Senate Finance Committee, explained that the Senate bill largely reflects the goals of the House bill, but includes a community component that is modeled after BRAC; expands the healthcare tax credit for a full five years; lowers the age requirement for wage insurance; and expands TAA for farmers. “Minor differences aside, both chambers agree that TAA needs to be more flexible and receptive to the economy,” she said.

Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) and House Education and Labor Committee Staff next addressed the group to discuss the outlook of workforce policy for the second session of the 110th Congress.

Committee staff spent considerable time talking about the various workforce opportunities in the economic stimulus package. “While, the probability of WIA movement in the second session is pretty unlikely, on a positive note, the workforce agenda is being considered in the stimulus package,” explained HELP Staff. “A Summer Jobs provision has made the first round of stimulus cuts and aligns with the three T’s for the package — timely, temporary, and targeted.”

Both Senate and House staff agreed that reauthorization of WIA is unlikely in the second session of the 110th Congress.

“We need a national vision for youth anchored in the belief that all young people should have equitable access to the promise and prosperity of America,” explained Linda Harris, Youth Policy Director at the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP), and Co-Chair of the Campaign for Youth, an alliance of organizations concerned about the persistence of young people in this nation who are disconnected from education, employment and opportunity.

“Many of you may be aware that the Campaign for Youth has completed a document Our Youth, Our Economy, Our Future: A National Investment Strategy for Reconnecting America’s Youth. This is part of the Campaign for Youth’s continued effort to focus attention on the issues of disconnected youth and to advocate for increased investments,” explained Harris.

“This document has specific recommendations for federal action — all of which are consistent with the agenda of The U.S. Conference of Mayors and many of your local programs,” she said.

Steve Trippe, President and Executive Director of New Ways to Work, discussed another collaboration of organizations that specifically focuses on connecting schools, communities, government agencies, workplace partners, and youth organizations to improve outcomes for youth, and help build a future workforce. The Intermediary Network (INet) was established in 1998 from a federal grant, and is now a completely self-governed and self-funded national association working in local communities to ensure youth success.

“We believe that investments at a national, state, and local level should focus on community building and support cross'system collaborations comprised of education, workforce, government, social service and private sector leaders in order to achieve youth success,” explained Trippe.

“The public, private and non-profit sectors must partner to encourage residents to participate in sustainability efforts,” explained Summer Spencer, Director of the D.C. Department of Employment Services. Spencer, along with fellow WDC members Pamela Calloway, Special Assistant for Workforce to Oakland Mayor Ron Dellums, and Donald Sykes, President and CEO for the Milwaukee Area WIB, outlined their cities’ “Green Collar” job training initiatives. The Mayor’s Jobs, Education, and Workforce Standing Committee meeting, which WDC members attended, focused on how green jobs can stimulate economic development and create pathways out of poverty.

According to Sykes, green collar training initiatives are expanding not only across both coasts but throughout the “Fresh Water Coast” of the Midwest as well. “Mayor Barrett recognizes the potential that green technologies present to the local economy. The city is beginning a new redevelopment effort in the 30th Street Industrial Corridor in the heart of the city and he has declared this area Milwaukee’s Greenlight District for Jobs,” he said.

All members of the panel recognized the importance of green jobs in their communities and stressed the need to provide adequate training in this emerging field.