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. You can register online at  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
LaGuardia Community College


Suma Kurien
Director, Center for Immigrant Education & Training, 
LaGuardia Community College
New York City