[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 32 (Wednesday, February 18, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Page 8690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-03208]
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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR
Employment and Training Administration
Public Listening Session
AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration (ETA), Labor.
ACTION: Notice of public listening session.
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SUMMARY: In preparation for launching the Online Skills Academy
described in the Administration's ``Ready to Work: Job-Driving Training
and American Opportunity'' report, the Department of Labor
(Department), Employment and Training Administration is hosting a
virtual listening session to solicit information and public input
concerning the development of an Online Skills Academy. This listening
session will be hosted in partnership with the Department of Education.
The listening session will provide an opportunity for stakeholders
to provide their comments and suggestions and engage in a national
dialogue regarding the implementation of this priority funding.
Instructions regarding registering for and attending the listening
session are in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.
DATES:
Listening Session: The virtual listening session will be on,
Friday, February 20, 2015, and will begin at 2:00 p.m. and is scheduled
to end by 4:00 p.m.
Registration: You must register to attend this virtual listening
session. ETA will post specific information on how to register and
participate via the Internet on the Online Skills Academy Web site at
www.doleta.gov/skillsacademy in advance of the listening session.
Comments: A transcript of all public comments will be available.
This transcript and any written comments submitted following the public
listening session will be posted on the Online Skills Academy Web site
at www.doleta.gov/skillsacademy by Friday, February 27, 2015. Written
comments must be submitted electronically to [email protected].
Comments must be received by 5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 25,
2015.
ADDRESSES: The listening session will be conducted virtually via live
webcast. ETA will post the agenda and logistical information on how to
participate via Internet on the Online Skills Academy Web site at
http://www.doleta.gov/skillsacademy in advance of the listening
session. The session is open to the public and the entire proceedings
will be webcast, recorded, and made publicly available. Interested
parties may participate via webcast only. Capacity is not limited but
registration is required. For information on how to register, go to
http://www.doleta.gov/skillsacademy. Registration will be open until
the listening session begins. In addition to attending joining the
virtual session via webinar, ETA would like to solicit comments
electronically to [email protected]. Comments must be received by
5:00 p.m. ET on Wednesday, February 25, 2015.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Background
In July 2014, Vice President Joe Biden released a report on federal
job-driven training programs, http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/skills_report_072014_2.pdf. Among other things, programs and
initiatives identified in this report highlight the importance of
strategies that are responsive to employer needs in order to
effectively place ready-to-work Americans in jobs that are available
now or train them in the skills needed for better jobs. The report also
highlighted future initiatives that expand the tools for job seekers to
find pathways to better jobs. One of these initiatives is the
Department of Labor's Online Skills Academy, a competition to award up
to $25 million for partnerships that will offer open, online courses of
study, helping students earn credentials online through participating
accredited institutions, and expanding access to curriculum designed to
speed the time to credit and completion. Building off the burgeoning
marketplace of free and openly-licensed learning resources, including
the content developed through the Trade Adjustment Assistance Community
College and Career Training (TAACCCT) grant program, this online skills
academy will ensure that workers can get the education and training
they need to advance their careers by developing skills in-demand by
employers through courses that are free to access and provide a low
cost means for earning credentials and degrees. This initiative will be
administered in partnership with the Department of Education.
To plan this competition, the Departments of Labor and Education
will engage stakeholders in a national dialogue to learn and understand
concerns and ideas related to the following topics:
Technology-enabled and online learning, including use of
open platforms
Accelerated career pathways leading to industry-recognized
credentials in in-demand fields
Contextualized learning
Online and technology enabled assessment tools, including
competency-based and open access assessments
Use of local labor market information and employer
engagement in identification of in-demand skills and credentials
II. Instructions for Attending the Listening Session
Space for attendance at this virtual listening session is not
limited; however, you must register to attend. Information on how to
register and participate will be posted on the Online Skills Academy
Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/skillsacademy in advance of the
listening session.
III. Draft Agenda for the February 20, 2015 Listening Session
Welcome and Introductions--2:00 p.m. ET to 2:20 p.m. ET
Overview of Online Skills Academy Vision and Required Components--2:20
p.m. ET to 2:30 p.m. ET
Open Comment Period--2:30 p.m. ET to 4:00 p.m. ET
Topic #1--Online Education and Learning
Topic #2--Open Educational Resources and Open Platforms
Topic #3--Training Unemployed Workers and Non-traditional
Learners
Topic #4--Developing Career Pathways in High-Demand
Sectors
Topic #5--Developing Assessments
The agenda will be strictly followed; participants may attend all
or part of the listening session as relevant. The updated agenda will
be posted on the Online Skills Academy Web site at http://www.doleta.gov/skillsacademy in advance of the listening session.
Portia Wu,
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training, Labor.
[FR Doc. 2015-03208 Filed 2-17-15; 8:45 am]
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