Workplace Experts Scheduled for
Workforce Alliance Forums / Summit

West Palm Beach, Florida -- August 14, 2008 -- Workforce Alliance is sponsoring the appearance of nationally known authorities on workforce issues at a series of Palm Beach County Workforce Forums beginning on September 16 and culminating with the third annual Workforce Summit in May 2009.  Each event will address the current workforce needs of both businesses and job seekers in the County.

Kathryn Schmidt, President and Chief Executive of Workforce Alliance, said, “We are fortunate to have a progression of truly outstanding speakers at the three Forums and the Summit.  The vision, principles and ideas to be presented during this series will have an immediate impact on our workforce development planning process for the continued growth of the Palm Beach County’s economic and business interests.”

The Forums are a continuation of the Workforce Summits of the past two years and are open to all businesses, government agencies, educational institutions, employers and community organizations that wish to participate and provide input to the Workforce Development planning process for the County.  They will be held on the mornings of September 16 and November 18, 2008, and February 18, 2009 in West Palm Beach with continental breakfasts being included for attendees.  The cost is $30.00 per attendee, with discounts for advance registration and for purchasing entire tables. 

The topics will include: finding and retaining workforce talent; legal challenges and avoiding common legal pitfalls; identifying the source of future workers and the kinds of skills that will be needed; engaging the next generation in the workforce; improving employee performance; tips on getting state and federal funds for local workforce training, and more.

The highlight of the series, Palm Beach County’s third annual Workforce Summit, will be held at the Kravis Center on May 28, 2009.  The principle speaker will be Daniel Pink, the author of a trio of best-selling books on the changing world of work. The series of events is intended to identify breakthrough solutions to workforce issues and identify the knowledge, skills and abilities that both employers and workers will require in the future. 

The Summit includes a full breakfast and will cost $40.00 per person with discounts for advance registration and for the purchase of entire tables.  Advance reservations may be made for any of the four events on line at the website: www.pbcalliance.com, or by calling 561-340-1060, extension 2373.

Workforce Alliance is the non-profit company chartered by the State of Florida to develop and manage a workforce system in Palm Beach County.   It operates three Career Centers and Professional Placement Centers and offers its professional services to all employers and job seekers in the County.  The Forums and Summit fulfill Workforce Alliance’s role as the convener of the County’s leadership to develop workforce solutions that will contribute to the continued economic growth of Palm Beach County.