Today, Fred Payne, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development met with Mayor Duke Bennett to pinpoint Vigo County’s strengths and weaknesses in the job market.
Vigo County ranks 10 out of 92 counties in Indiana with an unemployment rate of 5.1.
Payne believes a focus on training and education could open doors for those unemployed.
In Vigo County, 295 jobs are open that only require a high school equivalency.
According to Payne, high schools in the county have already received Workforce Ready Training grants that would prepare students for trade careers after graduation.
“That program is designed specifically for individuals who are looking to get a job in a high wage, high demand area,” he said.
301 jobs require some college or certification such as a commercial drivers license (CDL), and 206 openings only require an Associates Degree for careers in nursing (ADN) or agriculture.
“We’re already working with our higher education system,” said Payne. “Both in the certification route, the two year degree route and beyond that.”
Officials say there are jobs in Vigo County.
Jobs aren’t the problem, it’s the lack of training and education.
“Right now many employers don’t have the employees to fill the jobs that they have. And some of it is the growing technology,” said Payne. “It’s the expansion of the employers. And quite frankly, we have to make sure that our Hoosiers are getting the training and the skills that they need to keep up with that demand.”
For more information on job openings and education opportunities click this
link.
