DUQ Special News Report

The Future of Our Region: Workforce Development
Audio Archive

If you missed DUQ's Workforce Development reports, you can listen to the reports now by clicking on the links below.

Topics include linking minorities to new job opportunities; K-8 education and future jobs; effectively coordinating workforce programs and agencies; worker transportation and workforce job clusters. Support for "The Future of Our Region: Workforce Development" is provided by a grant from the McCune Foundation.

Listeners are encouraged to respond and react to the reports by sending an
email to: region@wduq.org

Click here for a list of resources, including web sites for people and places mentioned in these reports.

To listen to these reports you will need the free Quicktime Player available from this link.

Report #1
Reporter/Producer: Katherine Fink
Broadcast Date: November 15, 2004
90.5 DUQ today begins a project exploring an issue that political, community and business leaders feel is critical to the future vitality of the Pittsburgh region...workforce development. They say a key factor is investment in human capital...current workers and students...preparing them for existing jobs and future ones. In the first in a series of reports, DUQ's Katherine Fink looks at how the state is trying to aid in the success of workforce development efforts at the local level. LISTEN

Report #2: "Opportunities and Challenges for the Disadvantaged"
Reporter/Producer: Charlee Song
Broadcast Date: November 22, 2004
Here in Western Pennsylvania, workforce development experts say good jobs are going unfilled in many sectors of the economy--a problem likely to increase with time. Yet there are citizens without jobs or prospects. Perhaps workforce needs will create an opportunity for unemployed and under-employed citizens to become full participants in the economy. DUQ's Charlee Song reports on "Workforce Development: Opportunities and Challenges for the Disadvantaged". LISTEN

Report #3: "Transportation Needs"
Reporter/Producer: Alexandria Chaklos
Broadcast Date: November 29, 2004
Transportation is a key component of workforce development. In some areas of Southwestern Pennsylvania, the economic development in the suburbs has resulted in challenges in getting workers to a job site because of the lack of public transit. That and the non-traditional work hours and availability of the job pool have led community groups to address the transporation needs. DUQ's Alexandria Chaklos reports on transportation in part 3 of "The Future of Our Region: Workforce Development." LISTEN

Report #4
Reporter/Producer: Mark Nootbaar
Broadcast Date: December 6, 2004
The idea of vocational education in a school setting was first envisioned in the early 19-hundreds and came to prominence in the 1960's and 70's. As part of our series "The Future of Our Region: Workforce Development" DUQ's Mark Nootbaar takes a look at some efforts in area high schools to train the workforce of tomorrow. LISTEN

Report #5
Reporter/Producer: Mark Nootbaar
Broadcast Date: December 13, 2004
Workforce development efforts usually involve retraining displaced workers, finding ways to hold onto college students or moving high school students through vocational programs. However, as part of our series, "The Future of Our Region: Workforce Development" DUQ's Mark Nootbaar reports some groups are reaching down to the elementary level to cultivate the next generation of workers. LISTEN

Report #6: "Manufacturing"
Reporter/Producer: Kevin Gavin
Broadcast Date: December 20, 2004
Intro: The employment numbers can be troubling because of the long, storied tradition of manufacturing in Southwestern Pennsylvania. But they also can be puzzling. Thousands of manufacturing jobs have been lost since 2000. As part of our series, "The Future of Our Region: Workforce Development," DUQ's Kevin Gavin explores efforts to ensure a pool of ready workers for manufacturers. LISTEN