A Message from the Secretary of Commerce:
Across America, communities are recognizing that telecommunications and information technologies are the key to creating economic opportunities. Interactive networks are providing new job and educational opportunities. People in every state are benefitting with improved law enforcement protection for cities and towns and economic development plans for regions. Everyone in the nation benefits as businesses become more competitive and non-profit service organizations become more effective.
As Secretary of Commerce, I am pleased to release Networks for People: TIIAP at Work. The report underscores the Clinton Administration's commitment to promote public-private partnerships that will bring the benefits of telecommunications and information technologies to every American. The Telecommunications and Information Infrastructure Assistance Program (TIIAP) projects that are profiled in this report illustrate the pivotal role that these technologies can play in equipping American workers and entrepreneurs, students and teachers, doctors and patients, and parents and children with the skills and tools they need to meet the challenges of the Information Age.
The demands of the new information economy are stretching our human resources. We simply do not have enough computer and technology-literate Americans to meet the needs of our nation's businesses. Today, some 190,000 high-tech jobs remain unfilled across the country. We need to find ways to train our young people and retrain our current workforce. TIIAP projects are demonstrating a variety of models to meet these demands, including developing adult education and job training services and using technology to match job seekers with job opportunities. Other projects are providing youth with Internet-based skills to increase their computer literacy.
President Clinton and Vice President Gore are working hard to ensure that all of our nation's communities benefit from telecommunications and information technologies. TIIAP is playing an important role, as it focuses on underserved communities, especially inner cities and rural areas. TIIAP is helping to bridge the digital divide and create new opportunities for all Americans.
This report highlights the positive impact of telecommunications and information technologies on our communities. And strong communities, urban and rural, translate into a socially vibrant and economically healthy nation.
William M. Daley
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce
National Telecommunications and Information Administration
Office of Telecommunications and Information Applications
Last Modified: 18 Dec 97