Commerce Seeks 6 Private Sector Members for New International Task Force

The Department of Commerce is looking for U.S. nominations for the U.S.-EU Trade and Technology Council’s Talent for Growth Task Force, according to a Federal Register notice scheduled to be published on Thursday.

As stated in the filing, the task force was established on Dec. 5, 2022, by the council to position the U.S and EU “to achieve the well-trained workforce critical to maintaining leadership in emerging and existing technologies” in light of increasing competition, to help succeed in the global economy and to train workers for jobs. The technologies include semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum computing, among others. 

The task force will be composed of 14 members: six private sector members from the U.S. and six from the EU, along with a government chair from the U.S. and from the EU. 

The Commerce Department is looking for nominations to fill the six U.S. private sector positions, which will consist of: two business sector members, two members from organizations that support training and two members from labor unions. The members must be at the CEO, president or another executive-level position. 

The notice stated that members “will be selected based upon their knowledge and experience with training for jobs in or impacted by technology” and that members could be chosen for their knowledge and expertise to help the task force “share best practices, showcase training opportunities and communicate the benefits of participating in careers in the technology sector.”

According to the filing, the task force members will work closely with the U.S. and EU Executive Directors—government officials reporting to their respective chairs, the U.S. Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo and European Commission Executive Vice-President Margrethe Vestager—for the daily management of the task force. 

“Competition for technological leadership today demands a well-trained workforce,” Raimondo said when the task force was first announced. “With the Talent for Growth Task Force, we will learn from each other’s successes and create new opportunities that recognize the talent of our people.”

Vestager described the task force as “good for people, for societies and the economies,” adding that the new members “will help us map the skills needed to make the most of digital technologies.”

Members will give recommendations to the co-chairs and perform actions to highlight training opportunities and increase public understanding of these careers. They will also help to fast-track an innovative skills approach. 

The filing stated that members will be appointed by Secretary Raimondo and serve in a representative capacity. They will not be reimbursed for their services or travel and they must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident.  

The task force is expected to meet quarterly or as needed. 

Nominations are due by Feb. 27 at 5pm EST either by mail or email.