As part of his blueprint for a stronger American economy laid out in the State of the Union last night, President Obama highlighted the critical role of community colleges in educating the workforce of the future. He urged Congress to “give more community colleges the resources they need to become community career centers – places that teach people skills that local businesses are looking for right now, from data management to high-tech manufacturing.”
Along with his address to Congress, President Obama also released a strategy memo last night that expanded on some of the ideas he featured. In this document, he sets a firm goal of building partnerships between community colleges and businesses to train and place two million skilled workers.
As the economy changes and manufacturing becomes ever more dependent on technology, a new brand of skilled workers will be required to keep America’s factories humming and ensure that quality products are still “Made in America, Manufactured in Delaware.”
That’s why Senator Coons has been so invested in strengthening community colleges, including working with Delaware Tech, which is taking the lead on providing new training that will translate into high-wage, high-skill jobs.
As he meets with businesses across the state, Chris often hears how important it is for local companies to have access to highly trained workers, which is why he’s eager to get to work on innovative new partnerships between businesses and community colleges. As President Obama said last night, “to prepare for the jobs of tomorrow, our commitment to skills and education has to start earlier.”