|
 Printer-Friendly Version
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
LABOR DAY 1998 [09/07/1998]
For more information call: 202/219-7316
Thanks to the hard work of the American people, we have
much to celebrate this Labor Day. Our economy is the strongest in a generation.
Unemployment and inflation are at record lows. And as last Friday's monthly
employment report showed, job growth continues at a steady pace and workers are
sharing a bigger piece of the economic pie.
We are in the midst of a not just a solid economy, but a
new economy. An economy powered by technology, fueled by information, and
driven by knowledge. High skill jobs are booming around the nation. Employers
are on the hunt for workers--and that's good news. But it also gives rise to
some real challenges.
As Labor Secretary, I know the underlying strength of our
economy is our workforce. And in order for our economy to keep growing strong,
we must make sure all Americans have the skills it takes to move ahead in the
new economy.
The obstacles for meeting that challenge are particularly
high for young people in high poverty areas--America's rural communities and
inner cities. Today almost 15 million teens and young adults are not enrolled
in school. About 90% don't have a college degree and 70% have a high school
degree or less.
This is back to school time, but not for millions of these
kids because they dropped out. Labor Day is a day off work, but not for them
because despite the strong economy, a majority of young people living in high
poverty areas don't have jobs. We simply can't have that.
All across America, employers are searching for skilled
workers and young people are looking for opportunity and a chance to get ahead.
It's time to connect the dots. We don't have a worker shortage, we have a
skills shortage.
Teens and young adults in high poverty areas are a talent
pool we must tap into. That's in everyone's interest. It's key to assuring
employers the workers they need, young people the jobs they want, and our
economy the wages and tax base it must have.
For young people to work, the entire community must work
together. Everyone from employers to labor unions to faith-based organizations
to law enforcement has to be a part of the solution. And our strategy is
focused on engaging them all.
There is only one more Labor Day before the year 2000. As
America enters a new century, let's celebrate our prosperity and resolve to
broaden it further. We don't have a person to waste. We certainly don't have a
generation to waste.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
| 
