[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 145 (Friday, October 7, 1994)]
[Senate]
[Page S]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: October 7, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
               PRIVATE SECTOR INITIATIVES IN JOB TRAINING

  Mr. HATCH. Madam President, the debate regarding the prevention 
programs in the crime bill highlighted one very important error of 
omission that we frequently make here in Congress. We get so tied up in 
debating Federal solutions to the problems faced by disadvantaged youth 
that we fail to recognize the many creative solutions that have already 
been invented by the private sector.
  Private sector involvement is absolutely essential in putting the 
educationally and economically disadvantaged Americans to work.
  Not only is there not enough money to serve all of the at-risk youth 
who could conceivably benefit from a training program, but also the 
private sector can often provide training more effectively. After all, 
private employers know best what new employees need to be successful 
long-term employees.
  Moreover, the Federal Government does not have a lock on the best 
ways to deliver job training. Fresh and innovative ideas are 
continually coming from the everyday citizens and private businesses 
throughout our communities. There are hundreds of examples.
  In my home State of Utah, for example, private businesses throughout 
Salt Lake County help economically disadvantaged people through on-the-
job training programs and internships.
  One program in particular is known as the Single Parent Economic 
Independence Demonstration. This public-private sector partnership 
places individuals who are receiving Aid to Families with Dependent 
Children [AFDC]. A number of Utah companies have provided internship 
opportunities for participants in this program. The sponsoring 
companies are in diverse industries. They include U.S. Lighting and 
Electric, Olympus Management Corp., and Southwest Airlines. Southwest 
Airlines recently opened a branch in Utah, and I look forward to 
working with this growing company.
  Another noteworthy example is a program begun in 1968 by the Coors 
Brewing Co. This program, the Golden Door, is open to exoffenders and 
welfare recipients. Participants receive the training and education 
needed to get and keep well-paying, full-time jobs. They are paid an 
hourly wage for meaningful and responsible work at Coors' investment 
recovery or salvage yard facilities. They learn to operate forklift 
trucks, pallet nailers and denailers, cutting torches, grinders, and 
other industrial equipment. Their training comes at work and not in a 
classroom, but those without high school diplomas are required to 
complete G.E.D. certification through an on-site program.

  Coors' Golden Door program is self-supporting, with costs offset by 
the savings and income generated by the completed work. On graduation 
from Golden Door, participants are eligible to compete for open 
positions in the company. Since 1977, almost 80 percent of the trainees 
who entered the program have taken regular production and office jobs 
throughout Coors.
  I believe such private efforts should be encouraged and recognized. 
The private sector commits billions of dollars every year to job 
training and employee education. While the cynics may say that such 
expenditures are in a company's own best interests, I believe we should 
give credit where credit is due. Without these private sector resources 
and without the new model programs they bring to the employment and 
training arena, far fewer individuals could be helped. Far fewer people 
would today be gainfully employed, contributing both to the 
productivity of an enterprise and to their own economic independence.

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