MINNEAPOLIS, MN – U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar today hosted a workforce development forum at Dunwoody College of Technology focused on preparing students for the jobs of the future. The forum highlighted the importance of innovative workforce training programs and the significance of linking technical college programs with local businesses, and included panelists such as Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Mark Phillips, Dunwoody College of Technology President Dr. Richard Wagner, as well as businesses and students. At the forum, Klobuchar said she is planning on introducing legislation to help boost workforce training programs and strengthen relationships between technical schools and employers to create more good-paying jobs and meet the demand for more skilled workers.

“On my ‘Made in America’ tour, I’ve seen firsthand how innovative, successful businesses are creating good jobs, but many of them are having trouble finding highly-skilled workers to fill them,”Klobuchar said. “That’s why I’m working to boost workforce training programs like those at Dunwoody and ensure that our students and workers have the skills they need to fill the ‘jobs of tomorrow’ that our businesses are creating today.”

The forum was part of a series of events Klobuchar is holding this week focused on her competitive agenda to strengthen the economy. Yesterday, Klobuchar visited Shakopee High School’s STEM program with Mayor Brad Tabke, and today she also addressed the medical device entrepreneurs at the largest medical device conference in the world. Tomorrow Klobuchar will speak at the Minnesota High Tech Association’s Leadership Insight Series focused on new developments in robotics.

Klobuchar chairs the Senate Subcommittee on Competitiveness, Innovation and Export Promotion, and has been a leader in the effort to develop a strong science and engineering workforce ready for the jobs of tomorrow. Klobuchar was a strong supporter of the America COMPETES Act, which increased support for math and science education as well as new technology initiatives. Klobuchar has also introduced the Innovate America Act to promote innovation and increase America’s competitiveness in the global economy.

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