Gov. Mike Pence has set an ambitious goal of creating more jobs than ever in Indiana by 2016. Lt. Gov. Sue Ellsperman says her personal goal is to bring jobs to rural communities during that time. Speaking last night at the Marshall County Republican Party’s Lincoln Day Dinner, Ellsperman acknowledged not all young people are four-year college material and encouraged students to pursue two-year technical degrees. She says employers are also looking for qualified technical school graduates and adds that many of those jobs pay really well.

Ellsperman also notes the legislature and administration passed a couple of key pieces of legislation aimed at job creation during the recent session. These include the Indiana Regional Works Councils, which will regionally allow us to bring business and education together regionally to look at the needs of the workforce.

“The Speaker of the House and Minority Leader of the House sponsored legislation for Indiana Careers Council, which will put the governor at the chair, I’ll be vice chair, the superintendent of public instruction, the commissioner of higher education, the department of workforce development all coming around the table to say ‘where are the gaps in education and preparing that workforce for the future?’,” Ellsperman added. She grew up in a small town in southern Indiana and says she’s sensitive to the “brain drain” issue that occurs when young people go away to college and don’t return. She adds she wants to make sure all of Indiana thrives.

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