September 2004 - Providing area business and industry access to the nation's most advanced integrated labor market intelligence and employee development system is the goal of a new collaboration between the University of Texas at Arlington, SkillsNET Corporation, and the Arlington Chamber of Commerce.

The Regional Skills Initiative (RSI) will use detailed skill-level matching in the placement and development processes, and provide continuously updated labor market information. It will also be fully integrated with education and training through skill gap analysis. Recent developments in definitions and analysis allow the opportunity to move away from traditional "hit-or-miss" job matching schemes.

The system will be created from a synthesis of state-of-the-art SkillObjectsT software, skills assessment systems, and online education and training. System services will be accessed via regional web portal. Development of the RSI will be based at The University of Texas at Arlington Continuing Education Building.

Local business and industry, independent school districts, area workforce development boards, economic development boards, chambers of commerce, training and education providers will actively participate and support its development.

For more information on the Regional Skills Initiative, call SkillsNET at (972) 923-2950.