Ponticelli notes U.S. Department of Labor efforts to ensure a vibrant and competitive workforce during XV Inter-American Conference

PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad and Tobago — During the XV Inter-American Conference of Ministers of Labor today in Port of Spain, Deputy Undersecretary of Labor for International Affairs Charlotte Ponticelli discussed how the U.S. Department of Labor is working in strategic partnerships with regional economies throughout the United States to ensure a competitive and adaptable workforce in the 21st century.

This year's conference focuses on the theme "Making Decent Work Central to Social and Economic Development." Ponticelli joined officials of labor ministries from the 33 democratically elected governments in the western hemisphere to discuss strategies for increasing access to economic opportunities for the people of the Americas, with a focus on youth and women. The group will adopt a ministerial declaration on the conference theme and a plan of action identifying areas for cooperation.

In her remarks to conference participants, Ponticelli discussed how the Labor Department's Workforce Innovation in Regional Economic Development, or "WIRED," Initiative is addressing regional job growth in the U.S. "WIRED creates a pro-growth environment in regional economies by providing seed funding to strategic partnerships that include leaders in workforce development, economic development, education, business and industry, philanthropic organizations and others across political boundaries, with a goal of driving talent development strategies in support of a unified regional economic vision," she said.

Ponticelli noted that all conference participants are concerned with high unemployment numbers facing youth. In the United States, 21 percent of 16- to 24-year-olds nationwide, or 3.4 million youth, are out of school and do not have a diploma. The Department of Labor is addressing this issue through a federal interagency collaboration to support states and localities with a wide array of programs serving youth, including employment and training assistance. The existence of exploitive child labor, forced labor and human trafficking runs counter to these objectives and must also be addressed, Ponticelli said.

Prior to the inaugural session of the labor ministerial, Ponticelli attended a September 11th memorial service and the unveiling of a monument in the city's U.S. embassy courtyard in honor of the victims of the terrorist attacks.

A copy of Ponticelli's remarks are available online at www.dol.gov/ilab/ under "Newsroom."

Archived News Release — Caution: Information may be out of date.