The states' work force is moving to a knowledge-based economy no longer competing with the state next door, but with regions all over the world. And governors need to focus on training the changing work force—which could be facing a shortage.
That’s according to the discussion from a special policy session Aug. 9 as a part of the Southern Governors’ Association conference at the Greenbrier Resort in West Virginia.
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao helped reiterate that point—because competing in a global economy is her top priority, she said.
“Our economy is increasingly focused on higher-end skills jobs,” Chao said Saturday. The governors will have to address skill levels of workers in the certain areas, according to Chao, including health care, where 3 million workers are needed in the next 10 years.
Other key areas for work force development, according to Chao, include:
• Biosciences,
• Life sciences,
• Aerospace,
• Biomedical and
• Nanotechnology to name some.
Chao also mentioned the concern of tapping the talent and employment of Americans with disabilities at a time when the country’s work force will face predicted shortages. The country is not doing enough to employ this group, she said. Governors need to make sure this group is employed “not only because it’s the right thing to do, but because we need them,” Chao said Saturday.
Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine said workers with disabilities “are often the most loyal and long-term employees,” if they find suitable employment and a suitable work environment. Kaine said in Virginia, workers often struggle with making too much money and becoming ineligible for Medicaid benefits—which he says are preferable for Americans with disabilities compared to private insurance.
Kaine suggested a look at Medicaid requirements in order to tap the talent of Americans with disabilities.
Many governors also discussed what their community colleges are doing to help retrain workers as well as offer specialized job training for particular industries.
“Community colleges are really the leaders in work force development,” Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt said Saturday.
And that means communicating with business located in the state is more important than ever to get a state’s work force prepared to fill jobs offered by local business and industry, the conference attendees agreed.
One representative from Appalachian Power in West Virginia suggested a program where leaders and CEOs from businesses could pair up with principals in local schools to make sure classes and curriculum are training the state’s current—and future—work force.
“Economic development and education should sit hand-in-hand,” said West Virginia Gov. Joe Manchin.
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