Hopefuls: Pa. has jobs, needs qualified people
The six men who would be governor of Pennsylvania agreed last night that the state needs to partner with the private sector to train students for future jobs.
The six men who would be governor of Pennsylvania agreed last night that the state needs to partner with the private sector to train students for future jobs.
Speaking at a forum on the state's work force and economy, the four Democrats and two Republicans said they wanted to improve education, both for students preparing for careers and for dropouts hoping to improve their lives through work.
The candidates repeatedly noted that jobs are available in the state but that employers have trouble finding qualified applicants.
Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Hoeffel, a Democrat, said he would seek a graduated state income tax to raise funds for education, restoring the work force training budget to 2006 levels.
"We have to train folks for jobs," he said. "And only our private industry can tell us what those jobs are."
State Sen. Anthony Hardy Williams, a Democrat, referred to the program "Scared Straight," which took troubled kids to prison to see what they could face. He joked that the state needs a "Scared to Not Have a Career" program to motivate students.
"We have to import employees to Pennsylvania because we don't have enough students who are prepared," Williams said.
State Attorney General Tom Corbett, a Republican, said private employers should not only set parameters for training but also help fund it. He noted the unmet need for welders and electricians in natural-gas-drilling operations in the state.
"We are educating our children and they're graduating from our high schools often not prepared for the work force," Corbett said. "This is a partnership, not a one-way street."
Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato, a Democrat, cited a program he helped put in place to provide up to two years of free community-college tuition for students who studied in subjects specifically cited as needed by local employers. Onorato stressed the need for "early warning systems" to prevent dropouts.
"Make it more attractive for these kids to want to stay in school," Onorato said. "If you think it doesn't cost us anything by ignoring it, you're wrong."
State Auditor General Jack Wagner, a Democrat, said the cost of education prevented many from getting training beyond high school. He said some state residents leave for neighboring states for cheaper tuitions.
"We need to make education more affordable in Pennsylvania," Wagner said. "It simply costs too much."
State Rep. Sam Rohrer, a Republican, stressed that the state needs to be more welcoming to industry. He said the loss of jobs statewide had to do with the governmental climate.
"Really it's because our tax rates are the highest," Rohrer said. "Our regulatory climate is very restrictive."
As with previous forums, the candidates rarely disagreed with the answers of their competitors. One exception was on school choice, diverting money from public schools to pay for private tuition.
Williams, Rohrer and Corbett all cited that strategy as a way to improve education and job training. Hoeffel flatly rejected it, saying public education should be fully funded.
