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Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding Donald Powell Meets with Members of Gulf Coast Workforce Development Initiative

Release Date: October 24, 2007

For Immediate Release
Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding
Contact: Brendan LaCivita, 202-572-8878

Washington, D.C. -- Donald E. Powell, the president’s top official for Gulf Coast rebuilding, today met with members of the Gulf Coast Workforce Development Initiative (GCWDI) to discuss their efforts in recruiting and training skilled construction laborers for the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast region. The GCWDI was conceived by the Business Roundtable in response to the devastating storms that ravaged the Gulf Coast in 2005.

“Skilled construction workers are a hot commodity in the Gulf Coast region – and an elusive one as well,” stated Powell. “The dearth of skilled construction labor has impacted the region’s rebuilding efforts but I am encouraged by the collaborative efforts of this organization, Secretary Chao and the Department of Labor, and the community college system.”

Over a 14-month period, GCWDI has trained 11,000 people for jobs in the construction industry – 70% of whom have accepted construction jobs in the region. Its primary goal is to train 20,000 displaced and/or disadvantaged workers to at least apprentice level by the end of 2009, implemented via public/private partnerships.

“This is a story that needs to be told,” said Powell. “By participating in this program and ultimately beginning new jobs in construction, these folks are helping drive the region’s economy, and are building foundations for new careers.”

The following individuals from GCWDI attended today’s meeting:

  • Larry D. Burton, Executive Director, Business Roundtable
  • Tim Horst, GCWDI Program Manager, Bechtel Group
  • Tim Johnson, GCWDI Community and Outreach Leader
  • Robert Piper, Vice President of Workforce Development, Associated Builders and Contractors
  • Harry Alford, President and CEO, National Black Chamber
  • James M. Young, Associate Director, Government & Public Affairs, The Associated General Contractors of America

For the last twenty-three months, the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has been engaged in facilitating and streamlining various components of the recovery effort, providing key federal support and resources to local leaders, and reinforcing the federal government’s commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast.

www.dhs.gov/gulfcoastrebuild

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This page was last modified on October 24, 2007