HANOVER, MD (February 6, 2008) – Governor Martin O’Malley today joined members of his Cabinet to highlight current, ongoing and future efforts to build a comprehensive workforce creation system that will provide more opportunities for all Marylanders and secure Maryland’s position in an increasingly competitive global economy.
“Building a comprehensive workforce creation system is critical to achieving the goals we all share: strengthening and growing the middle class, improving public safety and public education, and creating and expanding opportunities for all Marylanders,” said Governor O’Malley. “A comprehensive workforce system will ensure we graduate more students in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math fields, while taking into account that not every successful Marylander will attend college.”
Governor O’Malley was joined by the Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation Secretary Thomas Perez; Department of Business and Economic Development Secretary David Edgerley; Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services Secretary Gary Maynard; Department of Juvenile Services Secretary Donald DeVore; Department of Disabilities Secretary Catherine Raggio; and Department Human Resources Secretary Brenda Donald. The agencies have been collaborating with each other to create and expand programs that bring more services to more people.
The Governor and Cabinet Secretaries highlighted the need for a comprehensive workforce creation system that brings together government officials, educators, non-profits and the business community – all of whom have a role to play in creating a workforce for the 21st Century.
“Maryland’s workforce is among the best in the nation. We lead the nation in advanced degree attainment. But at the same time, there are 750,000 among us in need of adult education, literacy or English language services,” said DLLR Secretary Thomas E. Perez. “We need a workforce system that reaches more people. There is no such thing as a spare Marylander, and our collaborative efforts will ensure that everyone has the chance to succeed in Maryland’s workforce.”
“In today's knowledge-based economy, Maryland's most precious asset is its highly educated workforce,” said DBED Secretary David Edgerley. “At DBED, we are working closely with our state, local, and private-sector partners statewide to maximize our efforts by targeting investment to projects that create jobs and prepare Marylanders for tomorrow’s job opportunities.”
Workforce creation is a top priority for Governor O’Malley, and today’s event underscored the roles a wide array of government agencies can play in making sure Marylanders have access to employment services, job training opportunities and adult education programs, while also ensuring the needs of employers are answered.
Today’s event was held at the Sales and Service Training Center in Hanover, a collaboration between the Anne Arundel Workforce Develop Corporation and Anne Arundel Community College. Customers of the center have access to a wide variety of services, including adult education programs, job training opportunities, recruitment events for employers and other employment services. The facility is a model for aligning and streamlining services that officials hope to emulate throughout the state.
February 6, 2008 |
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