Press Release For Immediate Release April 15, 2003 District Begins New Push to Improve Workforce Development Programs (Washington, DC) The Mayor's Workforce Investment Council (WIC), the DC Chamber of Commerce (DCCC) and the DC Department of Employment Services (DOES) today announced a partnership to survey approximately 69,000 area employers to help improve District workforce education and training programs. The survey will begin on Friday, April 25 2003 via telephone and the Internet. Conducted by Geographic Solutions and the Nielsen Media Group, the survey will include business with more than five employees from the District, Maryland and Virginia. In addition to improving current services, the data will help WIC, the Chamber and DOES plan future services to address employer and employee workforce needs. "Employee skill sets vary greatly within the metropolitan area's workforce,” said Colleen M. Lee, Chair of the Workforce Investment Council. “Our goal is to learn what employers need us to do to bring those skills into balance. Working with the DC Chamber and DOES, we're going to target businesses, large and small, from all sectors of the economy. With their feedback, we can offer the training people need to find jobs." A detailed questionnaire will form the basis of the 15-minute survey. Questions will focus on topics including: Recruitment and training Mentorship and opportunity for advancement Overcoming barriers to employment Employers will receive a postcard indicating that they will be called to participate in the survey. The survey should be completed by June 2003 with results available by July 2003 on the DC Networks Virtual One-Stop website.