In that spirit, though mindful of far worse case scenarios, I offer examples of current workforce education that help keep our eyes on that prize. The vision for a workforce investment system is that individuals will have access to education that in turn will increase their employment earnings and opportunities. One of the positive aspects of a workforce investment system, as opposed to welfare reform, is that resources and services can be directed to incumbent workers in these kinds of jobs. GPW builds education, training and employer networks into its effort to move individuals who remain on the job for three months to the next level in salary and position. GPW provides the follow up, ransportation and child care support that individuals need to take advantage of additional adult education and training.
Employers work together to identify positions commensurate with new skills.
As adult educators look for models and partners in the provision of incumbent worker training, labor-management joint funds offer promise. These funds are the results of agreements between unions and employers, and have been vehicles for worker mobility for decades. Examples of achievements include the recent United Auto Workers-Ford agreement to give computers to all workers. Here in New York, Local 1199 and the Health and Hospital League are initiating an individualized case-management approach to worker upgrading in a rapidly changing industry, working closely with The City University of New York. Their Satellite Daycare Program, now going national, trains women on welfare to be family care providers who are also union members and part of the city's professional public day care system.