DIRECTIVE	:	UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE PROGRAM LETTER NO. 04-98
TO	:	ALL STATE EMPLOYMENT SECURITY AGENCIES
FROM	:	GRACE A. KILBANE Director Unemployment Insurance Service
SUBJECT	:	The 1997 Joint Employment and Training Technology Conference (JETTCON '97)

1. Purpose. To announce the JETTCON scheduled for December 16-18, 1997, at the Sheraton Chicago in Chicago, Illinois.

2. Reference. Training and Employment Information Notice (TEIN) No. 10-97 dated August 25, 1997.

3. 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), and O*NET; the integration of UI into the Workforce Development System; Worker Profiling and Re-employment Services opportunities; telephone and remote UI claims filing; Year 2000 solutions; 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, sponsored by ETA and the Council on Excellence in Government in partnership with a number of national organizations, 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.

4. 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, Telephone and Remote Claims Filing, 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.

5. Conference Overview.

   • JETTCON '97 is organized around six thematic and integrated tracks. To obtain more information about each track access the JETTCON '97 home page at http://www.jettcon.org.

   • Exhibits -- an exciting opportunity to see, and experience the latest technology available 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. These workshops will include, but are no way limited to, information on UI activities such as the prototype for taking UI claims using the Internet, worker profiling and re-employment efforts provided by the UIS, telephone and remote claims taking, and year 2000 solutions.

   • Award Winning Showcases -- State and local examples of exemplary uses of technology to deliver workforce development services selected by a panel of experts. To obtain more information about Showcase Awards, access the JETTCON '97 home page at http://www.jettcon.org

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

   • One-Stop Office of the Future -- JETTCON '97 and The Information Technology Support Center (ITSC) 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 that provides 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 will 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.

6. Attendance. This conference is designed for leaders, policy makers, and practitioners involved in workforce development who are 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.

   SESA Administrators, as are other members of the SESA staff that could benefit from these workshops, are encouraged to attend this important conference . JETTCON '97 is planning to accommodate about 2500 participants. To obtain conference brochures please send the request to JETTCON '97 Registration, 2751 Prosperity Ave, Suite 100, Fairfax, Virginia, 22031 or contact Beth Lacquement on 703-645-9302 or FAX 703-876-2637.

7. 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

8. Action Required. SESA Administrators are requested to provide the above information to appropriate staff.

9. Inquiries. Direct questions to the appropriate Regional Office.