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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: 202-693-4745
Veterans across the country who seek employment in the
telecommunications industry will be able to participate for a second year in
the Military-to-Work project developed by the Communications Workers of
America, thanks to a $147,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. The
project was recognized by Vice President Al Gore at last January's "Summit on
21st Century Skills for 21st Century Jobs."
"Our veterans deserve every opportunity to develop the
skills that will land them good jobs," Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman
said. "The beauty of this program is that it provides a direct route from
military service to 21st century jobs."
This year, the project will be augmented by an on-line
skills and aptitude assessment instrument developed by Cisco Systems, one of
America's premier Internet companies. Cisco's Academic Assessment System will
be modified to meet the needs of the Military-to-Work program. It will serve as
a guide to determine actual learning objectives and individual training
requirements.
The project's overall objectives are to assess, certify,
train, and place veterans in telecommunications and other information
technology jobs with companies such as AT&T, Pacific Bell, US West and
Lucent Technologies. The CWA, headquartered in Washington, D.C., expects to
assess 2,000 veterans, referring 1,500 to training and 500 to employment.
Training may be in apprenticeship programs approved by state and federal
governments, or on-the-job training with employers.
"This program is a model of public/private partnerships
working on behalf of America's veterans," said Espiridion "Al" Borrego,
assistant secretary of labor for veterans' employment and training services.
"The addition this year of a sophisticated assessment instrument will help
assure that qualified veterans get a chance to help meet the nation's
continuing demand for high tech workers."
Funds for the grant come from Title IV-C of the Job
Training Partnership Act administered by the Labor Department's Veterans'
Employment and Training Service. The grant is part of a discretionary fund
available to the assistant secretary to support innovative pilot programs that
help veterans find permanent, career building jobs.
More information about the Military-to-Work project can be
found on the program's web site at www.cwajobs.com.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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