U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today announced her New Skills for New Jobs Agenda at an event at the Genesee Career Institute in Flint. Last summer, Sen. Stabenow brought together business owners, labor leaders, educators, and parents from across the state to discuss how to meet the needs of employers and provide job opportunities for all Michigan workers and students. Now, she is announcing her New Skills for New Jobs Agenda that will help every young person get the skills they need for a good-paying job.
“Whether you’re headed to college or not, there are great opportunities to get the training and professional skills for a good-paying job right here in Michigan,” said Sen. Stabenow. “My agenda is focused on expanding career paths for every young person and filling the demand of Michigan businesses who are ready to hire.”
“Thank you, Senator Stabenow, for creating such a comprehensive agenda to address the skills gap,” said Kristina Johnston, group vice president of the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce. “The Chamber appreciates not only the focus on students and workers, but also the support that her agenda provides to businesses.”
“Through our many partnerships with local school districts, higher education institutions, and our business community, we have seen the collective impact of working together for our students and community,” said Associate Superintendent Steven Tunnicliff, Ph.D., Genesee Intermediate School District. “We appreciate Senator Stabenow’s leadership in promoting such partnerships as well as investing in education that will prepare students for multiple career paths. Through programs offered at the Genesee Career Institute we prepare students for college and career-focused training and credentialing in a state-of-the-art facility that mimics the business and industry environments.”
“MCC is excited and fully supportive of Sen. Stabenow’s New Skills for New Jobs Agenda,” said Robert Matthews, vice president of Workforce Development, Mott Community College. “It exemplifies the kind of leadership we need to close the skills gap in our community and for all American citizens.”
By 2025, over 3.5 million manufacturing jobs will need to be filled. Yet due to the skills gap, 2 million of those jobs will go unfilled, according to a report by Deloitte, the National Association of Manufacturers, and the Manufacturing Institute. Sen. Stabenow’s New Skills for New Jobs Agenda aims to close the skills gap by focusing on three areas: strengthening employer training partnerships, connecting students with career and job opportunities, and investing in job training opportunities for workers. To read Senator Stabenow’s agenda, click here.
Contact:
Miranda Margowsky
202-224-1154