TAFT APPOINTS EDUCATION STAFF MEMBER TO NEW WORKFORCE POLICY BOARD

   COLUMBUS -- Deborah Bingham Catri, senior associate director of the Center on Education and Training for Employment at The Ohio State University, is a member of a new state board to advise Gov. Bob Taft on developing a comprehensive strategy to ensure Ohio's workers remain competitive.

   Catri, of DUBLIN, also is an adjunct professor of workforce education and lifelong learning in the College of Education's School of Physical Activity and Educational Services.

   She said her research interests, strategic planning and business protocol will come into play as the Workforce Policy Board explores how to develop and maintain highly skilled employees.

   "My colleagues and I at CETE research workplace development and how to identify appropriate measures for determining program achievement. I will advise the board on how to determine the quality of current and proposed workforce development plans," she said.

   Taft said, "The greatest challenge for our economy and for Ohio businesses is to find skilled employees. The fact that so many business leaders are providing their expertise on the board clearly demonstrates the importance of workplace development."

   Catri and the 49 other board members will draft a five-year strategic plan under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998, which replaces the Job Training Partnership Act and other federally funded job training programs.

   Catri represents organizations that serve youth. She is one of four higher education representatives, including Ohio Board of Regents Chancellor Roderick Chu.

   She received her undergraduate and doctoral degrees from Ohio State, and a master's degree from Bowling Green State University. She joined CETE six years ago.

Contact: Deborah Bingham Catri, Center on Education and Training for Employment, (614) 292-6788; bingham-catri.1@osu.edu