Greetings, 

October is almost here. That means it's time to register for the Bridges
to Opportunity: Workforce Development for English Language Learners
conference taking place October 27th and 28th. Registration is limited
to 100 participants, and pre-registration is required. You must register
in advance to attend. There will be no on-site registration! The
conference fee is just $100 for a two-day event, or $75 for a group of
five or more. For more information please visit the conference web site
at:
http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ace/bridges .

Sign up soon to reserve your space. Use the registration form attached
to this email, or register online at the
conference website:
http://www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ace/bridges/registration.htm . If you have any
questions about registration please contact Ros Orgel at 718-482-5448 or
roslyno at lagcc.cuny.edu .

Bringing together who provide key services for ELL students developing
both language and job-related skills, Bridges to Opportunity is a
proactive, working conference.  The keynote speaker is Dr. Heide Spruck
Wrigley, president of Literacy International.  Three  panels made up of
a range of program managers, instructors, policy makers, and career
counselors will grapple with essential questions including (just to name
a few):

* How can employers, educators and other stake holders be brought
together to identify  and develop solutions to address the workforce
development needs of  English language learners?  What are national
models for developing such initiatives  in needs assessment ?

* Many immigrant workers come with prior credentials and experience
which remain unused because there no easily accessible ways to re-enter
their previous careers. The challenge is to re-integrate skilled
immigrant workers  into careers where their skills can be best utilized.
How is this best achieved ? 

* Employer expectations and assumptions about  English language
instructional  goals including the length of training are often
different from those of educators. How can these different sets of
expectations and goals be managed in customized training programs ?

Your participation and recommendations are a key ingredient in this
event - it is not a lecture-style conference, but a pro-active,
participatory event where your input and experience count.

Sponsored by the Center for Immigrant Education and Training and the
Center for Teaching and Learning of LaGuardia Community College, Bridges
for Opportunity is funded in part by a grant from the President's High
Growth Job Training Initiative, as implemented by the U.S. Department of
Labor's Employment and Training Administration.

Sincerely,



Suma Kurien
Director, Center for Immigrant Education & Training
Division of Adult & Continuing Education
LaGuardia Community College
Tel: (718) 482 5361
www.lagcc.cuny.edu/ciet