“New Americans — Tomorrow’s Workforce,� a conference on the regional work force, is slated for Friday at the Tarrytown House Estate and Conference Center in Tarrytown.

A group of experts will discuss topics of relevance to the local work force, touching on economic, education, and legal and legislative issues. The conference proceedings will be published as a starting point for initiatives to meet the county’s need for skilled workers.

Rae Rosen, a senior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, will speak on the subject, “Labor and Workforce Trends: The Regional Economic Climate and Projections for the Future.�

Jose Antonio Tijerino, president and chief executive of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation, will speak on “Diversity Enriches the Leadership of Tomorrow.�

A series of six interactive roundtables with expert panelists are planned for the following topics:

• “Work Locally, Compete Globally – Building the Regional Skilled Workforce.� Panelists: Dr. Peter A. Creticos, president and executive director of the Institute for Work and the Economy and senior research associate at Northern Illinois University Outreach; John M. DeMarco, senior VP and corporate counsel for Lowe Enterprises; Timothy Indiveri, section manager of recruitment, Con Edison; and Jon B. Schandler, president and chief executive, White Plains Hospital Center.

• “Access to Success – Higher Education, Language and Literacy.� Panelists: Tara Colton, associate research director, Center for an Urban Future; Dr. Suma Kurien, director, LaGuardia Community College Center for Immigrant Education and Training; and Tarrytown School Superintendent Dr. Howard W. Smith.

• “Economic Development – Innovation and Partnerships for Business, Education and the Community.� Panelists: Julian L. Alssid, executive director, Workforce Strategy Center; Christopher Bruhl, head of the Business Council of Fairfield; Dr. Timothy Dowding, associate professor-in-residence & director, University of Connecticut; and William M. Mooney, Jr., president, Westchester County Association.

• “Immigration Policy and Legislation – Creating Policies that Work.� Panelists: Hon. Jose Alvarado, Westchester County Legislator, District 17; Robin Bikkal, senior partner, Silverman, Bikkal & Sandberg LLP; and Chung-Wha Hong, executive director, The New York Immigration Coalition.

• “The New Talent Pool – Diversity, Leadership and International Professionals.� Panelists: Manuel Boado, president and chief executive, SPANUSA; Nikki Cicerani, managing director, Upwardly Global; and Elizabeth McIsaac, executive director, Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council.

• “Cost of Living – Building the Infrastructure for the New Workforce.� Panelists: Jerry Mulligan, Westchester County Planning Commissioner; Dr. Brian Nickerson, director, Pace University Edwin G. Michaelian Institute for Public Policy & Management; and Isabel Villar, executive director, El Centro Hispano Inc.

For more information, please call the Westchester Community College Foundation office at (914) 606-6804 or visit www.sunywcc.edu/forum to register online.