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2009 Workforce Development Forum

Preparing a Global Economy Workforce
An Expanding Role for Higher Education

January 7-9, 2009
Sandpearl Resort
Clearwater Beach, FL

Competing in today’s global knowledge economy requires high quality human capital. It is why prospective employers are concerned about the level of educational attainment of a state’s workforce when deciding where to locate. It is also why employers pay close attention to whether there are higher education programs available to develop both new and older employees. In an era of global competition, geographic concentrations of interconnected industries are prevalent. Moreover such clusters often emerge in the vicinity of universities which are suppliers both of research and ongoing employee education and training.

In the past, government-funded job training was directed primarily to unskilled workers, but today policymakers eager to attract knowledge economy jobs to their states recognize that workforce development needs to be aligned with the state’s economic development goals. The development of skilled human capital is an essential component of regional economies looking to expand into emerging fields, such as “green jobs,” homeland security, and energy.

UCEA’s 15th Annual Workforce Development Forum will take place just prior to the opening of the 111th Congress and the inauguration of the 44th President of the United States. The Forum will bring together leaders from the business, government, non-profit, and academic sectors to discuss workforce trends, public policy directions, partnership models, and education programs. Participants at this timely Forum will explore the role played by college and university professional and continuing education organizations in expanding workforce development geographically, technologically, and programmatically.

For more information on presentation proposals: contact Tim Sloate, UCEA Director of Research, at tsloate@ucea.edu or 202.659.3130.

For more information on forum logistics: contact Natalia Kats, UCEA Director of Conferences, at nkats@ucea.edu or 202.659.3130.