By Kimberly Peterson

Speaking to a delegation of 4,000 elected county officials in St. Louis, U.S. Labor Secretary Alexis Herman praised county leaders for their role in the battle to save summer jobs and to pass the Workforce Investment Act. She hailed NACo for "striking the right kinds of partnerships" and defined the challenges that lie ahead in the 21st century.

Secretary Herman acknowledged that there are still pay gaps between genders, opportunity gaps and skills gaps. A large number of Americans have a high school degree or less. However, the jobs of the future require high tech skills. According to Herman, "We don’t have a labor shortage but a skills shortage." Ms. Herman defined three challenges for the future: (1) to make sure workers have 21st century skills; (2) to make sure families have tools to move off welfare and (3) to make sure young people have the opportunity to move into the economic mainstream.

Secretary Herman suggested ways the federal government can help counties and cities achieve these ideals and announced new federal programs that can help. The Workforce Investment Act is designed to make sure that America’s labor force has 21st century skills. To foster greater inclusion and participation, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is creating a new brand name logo - America’s Jobs Network. Every state, local and one-stop career center will be a part of the network.

On moving families off welfare, Herman added, "Despite the strong economy, it is too early to declare victory." The remaining caseload is concentrated-the 20 largest urban centers contain 40 percent of the caseload. Rural America too poses challenges. Herman said that DOL is committed to removing barriers for people moving from welfare to work, specifically childcare and transportation. She called on NACo for leadership in securing President Clinton’s request to reauthorize the $1 billion welfare to work program.

On his recent "New Markets" tour to economically underserved regions of the country, President Clinton delivered the message that the private sector needs to invest in these untapped markets which represent $85 billion in unexploited economic opportunity. Secretary Herman echoed that message with respect to developing America’s young labor force. "We must close the skills gap and reclaim our young. Economic development and skills development are two sides of the same coin. If we build the skills of our people, opportunity will come. We should not view these places as pockets of poverty but as pools of opportunity," she added. The Clinton Administration just announced $250 million in grants to invest in America’s youth. The FY2000 budget requests another $250 million installment in a total package of $1 billion over four years.