
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 28, 1991                   TAG: 9103280543
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: B-1   EDITION: EVENING 
SOURCE: JOEL TURNER MUNICIPAL WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

WORKFORCE STUDY SET IN VALLEY

The Roanoke Valley must ensure that it has enough adequately trained workers to fill the jobs that will be created in the next decade, Roanoke City Councilman Beverly Fitzpatrick said today.

Fitzpatrick, chairman of the city's Economic Development Commission, said he will appoint a committee to determine whether the valley faces a problem in providing a workforce with the necessary skills for the new jobs.

If the committee finds there is a problem, it will be asked to make recommendations to assure the valley has the workers, he said.

Some economic development experts have predicted a shortage of workers, particularly those requiring special abilities and skills, he said.

Most publicity about the looming shortage has focused on it as a national issue, Fitzpatrick said, but he's not sure whether it's a problem in the valley.

The commission needs to answer the question as it steps up its effort to develop industrial sites and attract new businesses, he said.

"Having the sites that are needed is a challenge, but you must make sure that you have the workers that will be needed."

Fitzpatrick said the commission will begin meeting more frequently as it intensifies its efforts to develop new sites and stimulate economic development. It will tour potential sites next month.

Bob Will, regional manager for the state Department of Economic Development, told the commission that the economic situation in the Roanoke and Shenandoah valleys remains good despite the slowdown that has caused plant closings in other areas.

"We have been fortunate in the valley because we have had no major plant to close," he said.

Mark Heath, executive director of the Regional Partnership, said inquiries from business and industries about the Roanoke Valley increased by 78 percent in the past year. The number of prospects visiting sites rose by one-third. Brian Wishneff, chief of economic development for the city, said almost 3,000 new jobs have been created by businesses and industries in the city since the commission was created eight years ago.

by CNB