Manpower, DOL join forces to train workers - HR News - U.S. Department of Labor - Brief Article

HR Magazine, May, 2003 by Beth McConnell

A worldwide staffing agency and the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) have formed a partnership to reach unemployed and under-skilled American workers and help shape the future workforce, leaders said.

Manpower Inc. and the DOL's Employment and Training Administration (ETA) will bring together local Manpower offices and One-Stop Career Centers, which train and supply employees for local businesses. The 1,900 centers also let the DOL know what staffing needs businesses are experiencing.

Manpower brings to the table its experience in providing staffing services and solutions through its 1,100 offices. The staffing agency and ETA have successful local partnerships, and now hope to leverage those in to a more strategic national effort, said Branka Minic, Manpower's director of work-force development.

"Maypower for Manpower" will kick off the partnership next month with 120 meetings at local Manpower offices across the country. There, Manpower and One-Stop Career Center staff will brainstorm ideas and give feedback to the national leaders.

Minic told HR News that partnership leaders have already compiled eight successful models. After the May meetings, the leaders will use the information from the local centers and develop best practices for the One-Stops and Manpower offices. "We won't dictate [their] relationship, but we will help the two parties get together," Minic said.

Manpower and DOL entities already have a synergy of goals and objectives, Minic said, and leaders hope the partnership will help point out which localities need job training, skills, mentoring, job placement.