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Dec062016

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Delivers Keynote on Cybersecurity Commission Recommendations at USTelecom Forum

InnovationCybersecurityCommission on Enhancing National CybersecurityDigital EconomyThe Internet of Things (IoT)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered a keynote address to USTelecom’s eighth National Cybersecurity Policy Forum on a report issued this past Friday by the Commission on Enhancing National Cybersecurity. Secretary Pritzker’s remarks highlighted key elements of the Commission’s recommendations, which provide industry leaders, federal lawmakers, and the incoming Administration with a...

Dec022016

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Training Workers to Build Green Infrastructure in the District of Columbia and Maryland

InnovationCommunities that Work PartnershipSkills for BusinessWorkforce Development
Stormwater runoff is becoming the primary source of new pollution entering the Washington, DC area rivers and streams. Without better control, sediments and the nutrients they carry could undo much of the water quality improvements from controlling combined sewer overflows, and cleaning up toxics in the Anacostia River.

Dec012016

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Training Students for New Opportunities and New Lives

InnovationManufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP)Skills for BusinessWorkforce Development
A U.S. Air National Guard veteran, a high school dropout, a person with a background in sales and a family man who hadn’t been in a classroom for twenty years; four men on very different paths that ultimately led to one destination…the Massachusetts Manufacturing Extension Partnership’s (MassMEP) Accelerated CNC Program.

Dec012016

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Through “Reimagined” JCCT, Secretary Pritzker Leads U.S. Delegation to Successes in Final Session of Obama Administration

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
As key trading partners and the world’s two largest economies, the United States and China share a mutual interest in promoting economic prosperity, both nationally and globally. Last week, the 27th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Washington D.C. provided both countries a forum for a cooperative and constructive bilateral engagement.

Nov302016

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Constructing a Future that Enables all Americans to Succeed

InnovationDigital EconomyDigital Economy Board of AdvisorsSkills for Business
Without question, the nature of jobs and work is changing.  New digital technologies are reshaping the tasks that make up our daily work.  Jobs themselves increasingly reflect new alternative arrangements, including contract, freelance, and so-called “gig economy” work for digital intermediaries such as Uber, Lyft, and Handy.  On the one hand, Yogi Berra clearly got it right when he said that “it’

Nov292016

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Discusses Workforce Development at Communities that Work Partnership Event

InnovationCommunities that Work PartnershipWorkforce DevelopmentApprenticeshipSkills for Business
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered opening remarks at the Communities that Work Partnership’s (CTWP) capstone event. A joint initiative of the Department of Commerce and the Aspen Institute, the CTWP strengthens regional economies by equipping American workers with the skills needed for 21st century jobs and accelerating industry-led workforce development and training...

Nov292016

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It’s a Wrap! America Celebrates Biggest National Seafood Month Yet

EnvironmentDataNational Seafood MonthMagnuson-StevensMagnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act
Last month, we celebrated National Seafood Month, which highlights the contributions of America’s fishermen, fish farmers, and fishing communities to our economy each and every day. Our commercial fishing and seafood industries have been essential to our economy since the founding of our nation, and they remain vital to the livelihood of many American communities and families today.

Nov292016

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Putting Knowledge into Action: ‘Communities That Work’ Enhances Arizona’s IT Workforce Initiatives

InnovationCommunities that Work PartnershipSkills for BusinessWorkforce DevelopmentAspen Institute Workforce Strategies Initiative (AspenWSI)
Arizona has emerged as one of the fastest-growing technology hubs in the United States. For this reason, the Arizona Commerce Authority (ACA) was honored to lead the Greater Phoenix regional team – one of only seven regions nationally – along with our partners, the Arizona Technology Council and Cox Communications, in this groundbreaking workforce program aimed at closing the IT talent gap.

Nov282016

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Communities that Work Partnerships: New Approaches and Strategies for Economic and Workforce Development

InnovationCommunities that Work PartnershipSkills for BusinessAspen Institute Workforce Strategies Initiative (AspenWSI)Penny Pritzker
As the economy becomes increasingly dependent on complex technology, automation and reorganization, the nation will face new workforce and economic development challenges. One prominent challenge is the need to provide the skills for tomorrow’s workforce.

Nov232016

U.S. and Chinese Delegations Conclude the 27th Session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman today led a U.S. delegation in discussions with Vice Premier Wang Yang and other Chinese government officials as part of the 27th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) in Washington. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus also...

Nov232016

U.S. Fact Sheet on 27th U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)ChinaU.S. Trade Representative Michael FromanPenny PritzkerBruce H. Andrews
As key trading partners and the world’s two largest economies, the United States and China share a mutual interest in promoting economic prosperity, both nationally and globally, through cooperative and constructive bilateral engagement under the auspices of the JCCT. During the 27th meeting of the JCCT, the two sides focused on ensuring the fulsome implementation of past JCCT commitments and...

Nov232016

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USPTO Attachés: A Valuable Resource for U.S. Intellectual Property Interests Abroad

InnovationIP Attache ProgramIntellectual Property (IP)Skills for Business
U.S. companies may understand how to handle their intellectual property (IP) interests within the United States, but selling products and being competitive in foreign markets with varied and unfamiliar local IP laws is a different ball game. Independent inventors and small and medium-sized entities may lack the in-house resources and expertise they need to deal with foreign IP regulations.

Nov232016

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Urges U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) Participants to Address Policy Challenges

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)Intellectual Property (IP)Digital Economy
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered remarks at the opening plenary session of the 27th meeting of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT). During her remarks, Secretary Pritzker highlighted the two countries’ progress in promoting bilateral trade and commerce through the JCCT, as well as lingering policy challenges that remain in our bilateral...

Nov222016

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Shielding Americans’ Privacy Online: Secretary Pritzker on the Importance of Building Trust in the Digital Economy

InnovationDataThe Internet of Things (IoT)Digital EconomyEU-U.S. Privacy Shield Framework
In a keynote address and wide-ranging discussion with the Council on Foreign Relations last week, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker discussed the need for government and industry leaders to work together to build trust in the digital economy.

Nov222016

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Calls for U.S.-China Collaboration to Build Robust, Open Digital Economy

Trade and InvestmentInnovationU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)Digital EconomyEntrepreneurship
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered remarks at the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT) Collaborative Program on the Digital Economy. As part of the “Reimagined JCCT,” this event brought the U.S. and Chinese business communities together with government officials from both countries for a discussion on a topic that is ripe for collaboration. 

Nov212016

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Understanding the Changing Nature of Work

DataAnnual Survey of EntrepreneursCurrent Population Survey (CPS)
Recent advances in technology have changed how workers and employers interact in the 21st century labor market.  Companies such as Uber, TaskRabbit, Airbnb, and others are cited as examples of new non-traditional modes of employment and income generation.  Although the press has been full of stories premised on the idea that the share of U.S.

Nov212016

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Delivers Remarks at U.S.-China Tourism Year Closing Event

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Tourism YearU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
On Sunday, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered remarks at the Warner Theater to celebrate the conclusion of the 2016 U.S.-China Tourism Year. U.S. and Chinese leaders designated 2016 as the U.S.-China Tourism Year in an effort to strengthen tourism and commercial ties between the two countries. In the U.S., government and industry worked together to enhance the tourism experience...

Nov192016

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker Addresses GOES-R Launch Ceremony

EnvironmentDataGOES-RWeather forecastingPenny Pritzker
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered remarks at the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite-R Series (GOES-R) Launch Ceremony at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The GOES-R is the nation’s next generation of geostationary weather satellites that will significantly improve the critical oceanic and atmospheric data needed to identify severe weather...

Nov182016

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Three Ways the Commerce Department has Strengthened—and Will Continue to Strengthen—American Competitiveness

Trade and InvestmentExportsForeign Direct Investment (FDI)World Affairs Council of AmericaSelectUSA
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker participated in an armchair discussion at the World Affairs Council of America annual conference titled “Shaping the American Competitiveness Agenda for the 21st Century.” During the discussion, the Secretary highlighted policies that America must pursue in order to stay competitive, grow the economy, and generate opportunity for working families.

Nov182016

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Secretary Pritzker Highlights Work of U.S. Patent and Trademark Office Employees

InnovationAll in STEM initiativeAmerica Invents Act (AIA)National Inventors Hall of Fame
This week, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker met with employees of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) in Alexandria, Va. During a townhall meeting with employees, she recognized the USPTO’s efforts to help inventors and small businesses with limited resources apply for patents through the Patent Pro Bono Program.

Nov172016

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An American Apprenticeship Renaissance is in the Making

InnovationApprenticeshipSkills for BusinessWorkforce Development
Since the dawn of our democracy, the American Dream has been about opportunity and the fact that anyone from anywhere in society can pursue and achieve a life where they are safe to live, love, and be happy. But in the United States, basically since WWII, the paths to that Dream have narrowed to a single route and formula that requires a University Degree (and a house and car) – a path that is ge

Nov162016

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Delivers Keynote Address on Digital Privacy and Security at Council on Foreign Relations

InnovationEU-U.S. Privacy Shield FrameworkCybersecurityDigital EconomyThe Internet of Things (IoT)
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered a keynote address at an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations on Privacy and Data in the Age of Surveillance. This symposium convened policymakers, business leaders, and academic experts for a candid discussion of online privacy in an era of fast-moving digital innovation.

Nov162016

U.S. Department of Commerce Report Shows Business Case for Apprenticeships

InnovationSkills for BusinessApprenticeshipWorkforce Development
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced the release of a Department of Commerce report, “The Benefits and Costs of Apprenticeships: A Business Perspective.” This report, authored by the Economics and Statistics Administration in partnership with Case Western Reserve University, is among the first of its kind in the U.S. that captures the employer perspective on the value of the...

Nov162016

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker Delivers Keynote Address on Digital Privacy and Security at Council on Foreign Relations

InnovationDataCybersecurityPrivacyEU-U.S. Privacy ShieldNational Cybersecurity Workforce FrameworkCommission on Enhancing National CybersecurityPenny Pritzker
Today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker delivered a keynote address at an event hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations on Privacy and Data in the Age of Surveillance. This symposium convened policymakers, business leaders, and academic experts for a candid discussion of online privacy in an era of fast-moving digital innovation.

Nov162016

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How U.S. Companies Use and Adapt the Apprenticeship Model to Create an Innovative Workforce

InnovationApprenticeshipWorkforce DevelopmentSkills for Business
I was honored to work with my former colleagues at the Department of Commerce Office of the Chief Economist on the report that Secretary Penny Pritzker released today, “The Benefits and Costs of Apprenticeships: A Business Perspective.” Our report is based on data from 13 leading businesses and intermediaries, including a hospital, a pharmacy chain, and an advanced manufacturer.

Nov152016

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EDA Invests $15 Million in 19 States to Move Ideas to Market, Promote U.S. Innovation

InnovationRegional Innovation Strategies Program (RIS)Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP)Entrepreneurship
Earlier today, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker announced 35 organizations from 19 states that will receive nearly $15 million to create and expand cluster-focused proof-of-concept and commercialization programs and early-stage seed capital funds.

Nov152016

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Working Together to Support Workforce Education and Training

InnovationWorkforce DevelopmentApprenticeship
Over the past weeks, there have been numerous positive reports by the American media again on the German dual vocational education and training system, about which I am very proud. I was also particularly intrigued to learn about new apprenticeship models being created in the U.S. They show that the dual system is attractive to a growing number of people.

Nov152016

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Access to Broadband Fuels Workforce Development and Enhances Job Skills

InnovationBroadbandUSASkills for BusinessWorkforce Development
Broadband has become an indispensable driver of economic growth and workforce development, creating new opportunities for Americans to participate in the modern, global economy and changing the way they find and do their jobs.  Broadband provides channels for sharing information, learning new skills for career advancement, and completing basic job functions in a number of professions.

Nov152016

U.S. Department of Commerce Invests $15 Million in Entrepreneurs Across the Nation to Move Ideas to Market, Promote American Innovation

InnovationRegional Innovation Strategies Program (RIS)Investing in Manufacturing Communities Partnership (IMCP)Entrepreneurship
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker today announced 35 organizations — including nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and entrepreneurship-focused organizations — from 19 states will receive nearly $15 million to create and expand cluster-focused, proof-of-concept and commercialization programs, and early-stage seed capital funds through the Economic Development Administration’s (...

Nov142016

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National Apprenticeship Week: Join the Movement, Now Half a Million Strong

InnovationSkills for BusinessApprenticeshipWorkforce Development
Apprenticeship works for everyone − from the business owner looking to recruit highly skilled and talented workers, to the job seeker wanting to advance their career. It works because through apprenticeship, youth and job seekers can earn while they learn, while employers across industries can develop the talent they need to compete today and tomorrow.

Nov142016

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman Announce Schedule for 27th Session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Michael Froman today announced the schedule of events for the 27th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), which will take place November 21-23, in Washington. Secretary Pritzker and Ambassador Froman will host the Chinese delegation, led by Vice Premier of the State Council Wang...

Nov102016

U.S. Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman to Convene 27th Session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade

Trade and InvestmentU.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT)
U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker and U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman will host a high-level Government of China delegation for the 27th session of the U.S.-China Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade (JCCT), November 21-23, in Washington. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will also take part in the dialogue to address key agricultural trade issues between the two...

Nov102016

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Women Responsible for the Increasing Number of “Vetrepreneurs”

DataVeterans DayVeteran-Owned Business
After serving their country, millions of military veterans contribute to the nation in another, important way: as entrepreneurs. Between 2007 and 2012, the ranks of veteran-owned businesses rose by 74,074, or 3.0 percent, to reach 2.5 million. Women were solely responsible for this overall increase in the number of veteran-owned firms.

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