Five colleges have developed workforce training programs dedicated to major segments of the biotechnology sector, considered a high-growth industry by many observers.  The colleges collectively received a $5-million grant from the U.S. Labor Department in 2004 to develop the centers.  The colleges and the biotech focus areas are:  Forsyth Technical Community College, Winstom-Salem, N.C. (biotech research and development); New Hampshire Community Technical College, Stratham, N.H. (biomanufacturing); Indian Hills Community College, Centerville, Iowa (agriculture and food processing); Bellevue Community College, Bellevue, Wash. (life science informatics); and Miracosta Community College, Oceanside (north San Diego), Calif. (bioprocessing).

The center seeks to develop and implement innovative solutions to public policy challenges, and it studies issues within areas including social, economic and workforce programs, education, health, homeland security and technology, and environment, energy and natural resources.

The center's mission is to increase employment opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with disabilities. 

NWA is a membership organization seeking to strengthen the workforce development system nationwide.  An affiliate of the National Association of Counties, NWA provides expertise and input to federal, state and local elected officials regarding policy decisions affecting the workforce system.  In addition, NWA provides training sessions, conferences, and publications to locally based workforce programs.

The center offers web siminars (or webinars), books, articles, consulting services, software, tuturials and events addressing risk management, especially in the workplace, as well as other areas, including managing employment practices.

This office handles unemployment insurance issues and is a unit of the DOL's Employment and Training Administration.

Check out these other links for information and advice on important topics for youth in the workforce.

Your local Chamber of Commerce is a strong advocate for business in government, economic and community sectors. Its information, services and promotion can help you do business more effectively.

Whether you are looking to start a new venture, expand an existing business, or relocate to a promising economy, your Regional Economic Development Organization has the knowledge, networks and assistance you need.

SchoolMatters provides employers, policymakers, educators, and parents an easily searchable clearinghouse for information and analysis of public schools across the United States.  This web site provides a wide range of data on local public schools and school districts. 

This site is a free service from the Wall Street Journal Center for Entrepreneurs.

StudentJobs.gov is a joint project between the U.S. Office of Personnel Management and the U.S. Department of Education's Student Financial Assistance office.  You can search federal government job postings specific to youth, create and post resumes, and learn about opportunities for scholarships, fellowships, internships, apprenticeships, grants and cooperative education programs.  There is no charge and users are not required to pre-register to look for a job on this site.

The online TeenSpace is offered on the Internet Public Library section of the University of Michigan web site.  In a feature called "Career Paths," TeenSpace offers users Internet links on career choices, “biographies” describing various careers, and advice on career preparation tools such as resumes and interviewing skills.  TeenSpace also includes links to web sites you can use for homework, and the site has a place to ask questions about life, school, and friends.

The Economic Success Clearinghouse includes resources concerned with effective policies, programs and financing strategies to help low-income and working-poor families.

The firm focuses on strategies to develop skilled workers.

Sponsored by the Indiana Youth Institute, Drive of Your Life is a fun online career exploration game aimed principally at middle school students in an effort to help them learn not only about higher education and careers, but also about themselves.  This free educational tool encourages kids to answer a series of questions about themselves to discover what careers could interest them; then, they go on a virtual drive to learn more about each of those careers—all in their own customized virtual car.