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President Obama visited Prince George’s community college recently to laud the community colleges and their role in training students for better jobs. Community colleges offer career oriented programs that help shape our future economy.

Obama made open remarks about Prince George College. He praised the weatherization program offered by the college. This program trains students to restore buildings for the purpose of reducing energy costs. It trains people for the future economy. Obama said that he is proud of this program and the college. He gave a speech about his initiatives on sustainable energy.

Obama is emphasizing the need to select the youngest and brightest scientists in the nation to solve the energy problems. He said that no one else has a solution for it. He added if anyone tells that we can simply drill our way out of the problem does not know what they are talking about or they are telling a lie.

Obama said that we have to continue to develop new technologies that help us to save energy. We have to rely on American knowledge and resourcefulness that come from places like community colleges.  President made his vision clear in the National Governor’s meeting in Washington. He pledged $8 billion to establish training programs for community college workforce.

In the Governors meeting, he told that the governors should make valuable decisions on where to invest. He specified that many states are making reduction in education funds, which he feels too big. He urged governors to make use of community colleges to train middle skilled labors.

President requested all Americans to complete at least one year of higher education. His blueprint sketches out his trust in community colleges. He said that he believes community colleges will go hand in hand with employers to create programs that help students to get better jobs and provide them with better training for specialized positions. President said the plan would include 2 million skilled labors to the workforce.

Deval Patrick, Governor of Massachusetts echoed the vision of the president in his state of the Commonwealth address in Boston. He proposed $10 million additional funds for 15 public community colleges in Massachusetts. He challenged the business community to match that amount.

In his address, Patrick said community colleges are not getting proper recognition and sufficient funds. He has plans to increase cooperation between these 15 community colleges and get the support of companies and workforce investment boards in the region to create specialized courses to suit the needs of workplace.

Holyoke community college and Springfield technical college have already stated to collaborate together on training and workforce options. They have begun to work with businesses to tailor courses to match with the needs of the organization. 

Patrick said that there is skills gap in the commonwealth’s workforce. He expressed his belief that community colleges can solve this problem. The governor said many jobs remain vacant, because workers lack middle skills.  However, community colleges are offering programs to provide training required by middle skills job areas.