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Employment Research Committee, a group of city and county individuals <br /> appointed by the Charlottesville Development Group, has been exploring <br /> the employment situation in the Charlottesville-Albemarle area. He <br /> continued, saying that persons who are unemployed because of the lack of <br /> skills or training are of immediate concern to the committee. He stated <br /> that the other group of importance is persons who hold, for an indefinite <br /> time, minimum wage jobs because they lack the skills or training which <br /> would permit their advancement to better positions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fife pointed out the problems caused by the elimination or <br /> <br /> reduction of several federal programs and the lack of coordination between <br /> area businesses and industries and educational and training institutions in <br /> preparing for future business needs and changes in technology. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fife stated that the Committee is convinced that there is a need <br /> <br /> for a commission ~hose efforts would be directed toward improving the <br /> local situation for the education, training and employment of low-skilled <br /> individuals. The Committee recommended that such a commission should be <br /> broadly representative of those institutions and agencies that need to be <br /> involved in helping to provide solutions to the problems of unemployment. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fife read a list of responsibilities for the proposed commission <br /> <br />which included: <br /> <br /> 1. Fostering communication and coordination among all of the <br /> <br /> educational and training institutions; <br /> <br /> 2. Fostering communication among educational and training <br /> <br /> institutions and area business and industry; <br /> <br /> 3. Evaluating and advising the Board of Supervisors, City Council <br /> <br />and local School Boards on the progress being made in the closing of <br />the gap between the type of training provided in area public schools and <br />the specific needs of business and industry; <br /> <br /> 4. Encouraging economic development of the business community in <br /> <br />bringing new employers to the area and expanding existing employment; and <br /> <br /> S. Encouraging existing economic development groups to attract small, <br /> <br />labor intensive industries and other businesses and industries that would <br /> <br />recruit heavily from our areas. <br /> <br /> The Committee's suggestion is that the Commission consist of fifteen <br /> <br />people who will be appointed by the Board and Council to serve one year terms; <br />six representing industry and small business, five representing educational <br />and training institutions, and four representing the citizenry at large. <br /> <br /> Mr. Fife informed Council that the need for a financial commitment is <br /> <br />not anticipated at this time, but if the need arises, the Commission will <br />contact the Board of Supervisors and City Council at the appropriate time. <br />He also stated that the Commission will not be a permanent body, but will <br />hopefully be able to complete its work in eighteen months to two years. <br /> <br /> Mrs. Gleason commented that creating such a commission is an excellent <br /> <br />idea. <br /> <br /> Mr. Conover echoed Mrs. Gleason's sentiments, expressing gratitude to <br /> <br />the committee for the desire to work with the county jointly. <br /> <br /> Dr. Gunter expressed the importance of cooperation between industry and <br />training institutions. <br /> <br /> Mr. Conover moved to accept the principles of the Commission and asked <br /> <br /> <br />