Owens Statement on President Obama's Remarks Concerning Manufacturing Jobs, Skills Training

Press Release

Yesterday, in a visit to a manufacturing facility in Wisconsin, President Obama called on Congress to fund programs that "connect more ready-to-work Americans with ready-to-be-filled jobs," and pledged to devote federal resources and his administration's efforts to develop a skilled manufacturing workforce and grow the domestic skilled manufacturing sector. In response to this speech, Representative Bill Owens made the following statement:

"I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle and the President to increase access to workforce development programs and educational opportunities that provide Americans with the skills they need to succeed in good-paying jobs ," Rep. Bill Owens said. "Equipping American workers with the training necessary to fill existing vacancies and new positions in emerging fields will let America compete in the global economy. This should be one of Congress's top priorities."

President Obama also mentioned the need to close the nation's skills gap in Tuesday's State of the Union. Rep. Owens has been focused on this issue during his time in Congress. In late 2013, he wrote about the issue at length in an op-ed featured in The Huffington Post. Owens frequently tours businesses across the 21st Congressional District. He has noticed a common trend. While many employers have open jobs, few applicants from the area have the skills necessary to fill them and lack access to the resources necessary to gain those skills.

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