[Visit Website]
On February 1, 2006 U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao announced Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development (WIRED) as a major component of President Bush’s Competitiveness Agenda. Through the WIRED Initiative, the U.S. Department of Labor via the Employment and Training Administration will invest $195 million in thirteen regional economies, including Northwest Florida. The WIRED Initiative is empowering regions to implement ground-breaking strategies that will result in their workforce investment system becoming a key component of the area’s economic development strategy. The 100% match built into the WIRED Northwest Florida program turns a $15 million grant into a $30 million initiative. In the new global economy, talent development is the key factor in America’s economic competitiveness. To stay ahead of global competition, America must identify strategies to further integrate workforce and economic development with education at the regional level – where companies, workers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and governments come together to create a competitive advantage. Ultimately, the WIRED Initiative will expand employment and advancement opportunities for American workers and catalyze the creation of high-skill and high-wage job opportunities. Florida’s Great Northwest will function as the lead partner in a coalition composed of workforce development, secondary and post secondary education, entrepreneurial and new business development, economic development organizations, and area businesses. The coalition’s focus is on developing training initiatives designed to create a skilled workforce in the target industries of aerospace & defense, life sciences (medical device manufacturing, medical technologies, biotechnology, and health services), information technology/software development and electronics engineering, alternative energy, and construction services. |
