To
succeed in the 21st Century, our nation must be prepared to adapt to changes in
our economy — in how we work, where we work, and how we balance our
professional and family lives. The Department of Labor cannot and must not
simply react to changes. We must anticipate them, thus helping all workers to
have as fulfilling and financially rewarding careers as they aspire to have.
— Elaine L. Chao
On March
6, 2001, Labor Secretary Elaine L. Chao announced the creation of a new Office
of the 21st Century Workforce in her first major policy address at the
Department of Labor.
The 21st
Century workforce is not just about making sure that Silicon Valley has enough
engineers. Its mission is to provide hope — to ensure that all American
workers have the opportunity to equip themselves with the necessary tools to
succeed in their careers and in whatever field they choose in this new and
dynamic global economy. This is a time of tremendous change across the country
and across the globe. America's 21st Century workforce needs to adjust to the
changes of the 21st Century economy. These changes include a fundamental
transformation for all industries and increasingly require higher skill sets
and higher education.
We
appreciate your ideas. If you have any suggestions, questions, or comments
about this office, please e-mail us at 21stworkforce@dol.gov.
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