Public Affairs

In a commencement address today at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, Curtis H. Barnette, chairman of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, had what he characterized as "a conversation with the graduates."

For Immediate Release

Public Relations Division
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BETHLEHEM, Pa., May 18, 1996 -- In a commencement address today at Allentown College of St. Francis de Sales, Curtis H. Barnette, chairman of Bethlehem Steel Corporation, had what he characterized as "a conversation with the graduates," and advised them that the workplace of today has changed considerably because "we now live in a global economy and a fierce internationally competitive world," and emphasized that "the focus is shifting from employment to employability."

The new workplace, he said, features less stability and predictability and more change and uncertainty -- and values performance and skills. Among its characteristics are employees who are highly skilled and self-sufficient, managers who are empowering and customer-focused, and cross-functional teams which focus on the work that needs to be done, not on narrowly defined job descriptions.

"Workers will not only have jobs, but also marketable, up-to-date skills that they can use if they transfer from company to company or even from career to career. The ultimate personal goal is greater self-reliance," he said.

In the new workplace, said Mr. Barnette, "employees will have to analyze what is going on, communicate what they learn and make decisions critical to productivity.

Employees will need more sophisticated business, managerial and human relations abilities -- and teamwork and collaborative effort will be the norm"

Bethlehem's chairman noted that he had been privileged to attend the recent White House Conference on Corporate Citizenship and that the dominant theme was employability. He said that the focus of the business, labor and government leaders in attendance was on job skills, training, flexibility -- and on the role of corporations and employees in meeting the challenges of our changing, internationally competitive workplace.

He urged the graduates to develop their own visions, objectives and strategies in order to succeed and make the greatest contribution to society. He said: "Our vision is for Bethlehem Steel to be the Premier Steel Company. As you make your way in the world, you might also have a vision, which might be to focus on your core skills and to use them to be the best that you can be in whatever you do -- teaching, business, health care, law, the performing arts, raising a family, or community or public service."

Mr. Barnette said that he knew that one of the concerns of today's graduates was whether there were going to be enough jobs available for their generation. He said that he strongly believed that there would be, for the following reasons: