DIRECTIVE	:	TRAINING AND EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION NOTICE NO. 10-97
TO	:	ALL STATE JTPA LIAISONS ALL STATE WORKER ADJUSTMENT LIAISONS ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY ADMINISTRATORS ALL ONE-STOP CAREER CENTER SYSTEM LEADS
FROM	:	ROBERT S. KENYON Acting Administrator for Regional Management
SUBJECT	:	Announcing JETTCON '97 (Joint Employment and Training Technology Conference)

1. Purpose. To announce JETTCON '97-Change, Challenge, Opportunity!(Joint Employment and Training Technology Conference) December 16-18, 1997, at the Sheraton Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.

2. Background. The publicly-funded workforce development system faces dramatic changes, challenges, and opportunities as it incorporates the power of the information age into delivery of its services.

   The introduction of new technology is forcing organizations to create new business models and to change organizational forms, processes and roles. New competencies are now required by administrators, managers and front-line staff. New and powerful electronic tools such as America's Job Bank (AJB), America's Talent Bank (ATB), America's Training Network (ATN), O*NET, the internet/intranet, learning technologies, and assistive technologies are profoundly changing how workforce development services are delivered.

   ETA is committed to working with States, localities, business, labor, and community organizations to reshape the public workforce development system into a world-class service delivery system. ETA views technology as an indispensable component of this system. JETTCON '97 provides the opportunity for the workforce development community to learn how to harness the power of the information age to build a new and better workforce for America.

3. Conference Objectives. JETTCON '97 provides an excellent learning opportunity for those engaged in workforce development activities. Specifically, JETTCON '97 provides ETA's State and local partners the opportunity to:

   • structure a workforce development system to take advantage of new and powerful tools such as AJB, ATB, America's Career Infonet, O*NET, and ATN,

   • use internet/intranet technology to transform information delivery for customers and staff,

   • manage the people and organizational challenges created when introducing new technology,

   • apply new learning technologies in the delivery of a wide range of workforce development services,

   • provide universal access to education, training, and employment services through the use of assistive technologies,

   • build alliances and leverage technology and other resources to enable your organization to better deliver critical services,

   • see, touch, and experience technologies first-hand, and

   • become more knowledgeable consumers of technology.

   In addition, the commercial marketplace, and technology vendors in particular, will have the chance to gain a better understanding of and access to the emerging public workforce development marketplace.

4. Conference Overview. JETTCON '97 is organized around six thematic and integrated tracks (see attachment for more information about each track). Several activities and events have been structured around each track, including:

   • Exhibits -- an exciting opportunity to see, and experience the latest technology from over 100 vendors.

   • Educational Workshops -- an interactive, hands-on learning experience led by experts and leaders that will provide information and tools to make technology work for you.

   • Award Winning Showcases -- State and local examples of exemplary uses of technology to deliver workforce development services selected by a panel of experts. (See attached Showcase Awards Criteria.)

   • Plenary Sessions -- featuring the Secretary of Labor, Jerry Mechling from Harvard's Kennedy School, other top-level government, business, and labor leaders.

   • One-Stop Office of the Future -- JETTCON '97 and The Information Technology Support Center will offer a model One-Stop Office of the Future where you can experience the technology and services that are and will be available to workforce development customers. See how mediated and non-mediated services can support and add value to each other.

   • The Test Pilot Room -- a special area sponsored by Lockheed-Martin that provides you with direct access to the internet, and the latest workforce development software.

   • Free Internet Training -- sponsored by the ETA Technology Council, learn how to use the Net to get the information you want and need. This hands on, in-depth training will be delivered using 40 computers with direct access to the Internet, and cover a wide range of topics.

   • Common Interest Forums and Informal Discussions -- an opportunity to meet and talk to the country's top technology and workforce development leaders about your issues and concerns.

   JETTCON '97 is sponsored by ETA and the Council for Excellence in Government in partnership with a number of national organizations (see attachment for a complete listing of JETTCON '97 partners).

5. Attendance. This conference is designed for leaders, policy makers, and practitioners involved in workforce development engaged in: planning for or implementing One-Stop Career Centers and local learning laboratories; developing labor market information delivery systems; and conducting system-building activities, welfare-to-work activities, Job Corps, JTPA, SESA, and other activities designed to enable universal access to workforce development services through the use of assistive technologies.

   JETTCON '97 is planning on accommodating about 2500 participants.

6. Housing Information. Hotel space is being held until November 24, 1997. A limited number of hotel rooms are available at the government rate. Please contact the hotel directly for reservations. Be sure to mention JETTCON '97 to secure the government rate.

   The host hotel is:

   Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers Cityfront Center
   301 East North Water Street
   Chicago, Illinois 60611
   Phone: (800) 233-4100 or (312) 329-7000
   Fax: (312) 329-6929

7. Action. You are encouraged to attend this important conference. In addition, please disseminate the attached registration information and Showcase Awards Criteria as widely as possible. States are requested to share this information with SDA's and other Employment and Training Partners.

8. Inquiries. If you have questions about the conference program or general logistics, please contact Fred Frederick by telephone or E-mail at 202-219-9092 Extension 138, or frederickf@doleta.gov. You may also call the JETTCON '97 registration center at 703-645-9302. As our conference program further develops, updates will be available through the JETTCON '97 Homepage (http://www.jettcon.org).

9. Attachment.

   1. JETTCON '97 - Change, Challenge, Opportunity! - An Invitation to Attend

   2. JETTCON '97 - Change, Challenge, Opportunity! - Showcase Awards