Sen. Franken Looks to Strengthen Ties Between Trade Schools, Businesses

A lawmaker is helping promote partnerships between technical schools and local businesses.
 
Senator Al Franken says it’s vital for them to work together to train students for jobs in the community.

He says there’s a skills gap, that’s keeping uneducated people from taking open jobs.

Companies like American Crystal Sugar and Sanford Health have started programs with M-State.

Franken introduced a bill in the Senate to offer financial incentives for community colleges that partner with businesses.

He says, “That’s what I’m trying to do. We have in this country a skills gap where there are jobs waiting to be filled and people don’t have the skills to fill them.”
 
Many employers will pay for employees to continue their education, a plan Franken points out will help reduce student debt.