Credit: Las Vegas Review-Journal
LAS VEGAS – National Governors Association Chair Montana Governor Steve Bullock was in Las Vegas this week to continue the national discussion on how to equip workers for jobs of the future. This was the second of three regional workshops hosted by Gov. Bullock as part of his Chair’s Initiative, Good Jobs for All Americans, which builds from efforts in states to empower rural communities, reskill mid-career workers, and create a future-ready workforce.
During the discussion, Gov. Bullock spoke about how states could strengthen relationships with employers across the country. The governor said apprenticeships, internships and work-based learning programs play vital roles in preparing the workforce of the future. The governor also touched on how to connect rural communities to good-paying jobs and how to help people who are in the middle of their careers.
Key Points from Gov. Bullock:
· On Federal Funding: Montana received a $5 million grant from the Department of Labor to help displaced workers, but it’s not allowed to use the money to help the workers affected by a shutdown until those workers are actually out of a job. Gov. Bullock: “This makes zero sense.”
· On 21st Century Economy: “None of our states’ economies can rely on one resource. Technology is going to play a role in economic diversification as well.” *
· On Rural Connectivity: “Basic connectivity, knowledge-based industries can be based anywhere; people want to work where they want to live. Strong entrepreneurship is happening in places like Montana.”
· On Midcareer Workers: “[They] have incredible skills. To support this, there must be partnerships with government, employers and education providers to serve this population.”
Governors from across the country will come together in Washington D.C. for the 2019 NGA Winter Meeting from February 22-25. The final Chair’s Initiative regional workshop will take place in Des Moines, Iowa, on March 4 and 5. The final event, the Chair’s Initiative National Summit, will happen in Whitefish, Montana, in May 2019.
