Obama: Country needs a better-trained workforce

[1:19] ..." The average college graduate earns 80% more than those who stopped after high school. So we want to help people not only get back on the feet today but prosper tomorrow. We need to take a rigorous new approach to higher education and technical training. And that's starts by changing senseless rules that discourage displaced workers from getting the education and training they need to find. And fill the jobs of the future. So today I'm announcing new steps we are taking to do exactly that. To give people across America. We have lost their jobs the chance to go back to school today. To get retrained for jobs and industries of tomorrow. The idea here is to fundamentally change our approach to unemployment in"...

[3:32] ..." program. And to make matters worse unemployment might mean he can't afford higher education. And he likely won't qualify for federal help simply because he may have made a decent salary a year ago before he was laid off. That doesn't make much sense for our economy or country so we're going to change. First will open new doors to higher education and job training programs to recently laid off workers were receiving unemployment benefits. And if those displaced workers need help paying for"...

[4:28] ..." training programs and financial support open to about. And together at the department of education and the Department of Labor have created new website. Called opportunity dot got our -- that opportunity dot got. To help workers"...

[5:51] ..." every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. It can be community college. Or a four year school vocational training or an apprenticeship. Whatever the trading may be every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And we will be backing up that effort with the support necessary. And we will ensure the by 21. America once again"...

[0:00]" We're moving forward because now is not the time for small plants. It's not a time to pause -- to be passive -- wait around for problems to somehow fix themselves. Now's the time to put. A new foundation. For growth in place. To rebuild our economy to retrain our workforce. And re -- the American people. And now's the time to change unemployment from a period of wait and see to a chance for our workers to train and seek the next opportunity. So when that new and better -- does come around our people our industry and our entire country are ready to make the most of now. If we want to come out of this recession stronger than before we need to make sure that our workforce is better prepared than ever before. Right now someone who doesn't have a college degree is more than twice as likely to be unemployed as someone who -- And so many of the Americans who have lost their jobs can't find new ones because they simply don't have the skills and training they need for the jobs they want. In a warning for centric company where the most valuable skill you can sell is your knowledge. Education is the single best bet we can make. Not just for individual success sport for the success of the nation as a whole. The average college graduate earns 80% more than those who stopped after high school. So we want to help people not only get back on the feet today but prosper tomorrow. We need to take a rigorous new approach to higher education and technical training. And that's starts by changing senseless rules that discourage displaced workers from getting the education and training they need to find. And fill the jobs of the future. So today I'm announcing new steps we are taking to do exactly that. To give people across America. We have lost their jobs the chance to go back to school today. To get retrained for jobs and industries of tomorrow. The idea here is to fundamentally change our approach to unemployment in this country -- no longer just -- time to look for a new job. But is also time to prepare yourself for a better job. That's what our employment system should be not just a safety net but a steppingstone. To a new future. It should offer -- educational opportunities they wouldn't otherwise have. Giving them the measurable and differentiated skills they need just not just to get through hard times but to get ahead when the economy comes back. And that's what Maureen -- that. Marine lost her job as official physicians receptionists but you lose hope. She took it as an opportunity to upgrade your skills and earned an associates degree in nursing from a community college. As a consequence today she works as as registered nurse. The only reason she could afford to do that while supporting. Her twins was because the state of Maine that allowed her to keep for unemployment benefits and study with the help from a program. Programs cover tuition at almost every community college in the country. An unemployment benefits can help both starting to gain new skills to support their families at the same time. But today far too many Americans are denied that opportunity. -- just give an example say an unemployed factory worker wants to upgrade their skills to become a mechanic or technician for. In many states that worker might lose temporary financial support if you and -- in a training program. And to make matters worse unemployment might mean he can't afford higher education. And he likely won't qualify for federal help simply because he may have made a decent salary a year ago before he was laid off. That doesn't make much sense for our economy or country so we're going to change. First will open new doors to higher education and job training programs to recently laid off workers were receiving unemployment benefits. And if those displaced workers need help paying for their education they should get. That's why the next step is to make it easier for them to receive programs. Of the sort the glory years I've asked my secretary of education. Artie Duncan and my secretary of labor -- solely is to work closely with states and our institutions of higher learning. And encourage them. Not only to allow these changes but to inform all workers receiving unemployment benefits of the training programs and financial support open to about. And together at the department of education and the Department of Labor have created new website. Called opportunity dot got our -- that opportunity dot got. To help workers discover and take advantage of these opportunities. Together these changes will increase access to education and opportunity for hundreds of thousands of workers who've been stung by this recession people just like -- And like her many may take advantage of one of America's under appreciated assets and that's our community colleges. These schools offer practical education and technical training and they're increasingly important. Centers of learning where Americans can prepare for the jobs of the future. That's also why I'm asking doctor Joe Biden. The community college professor who's devoted her entire life to education. And who happens to be very for the vice president. To lead a national effort to raise awareness about what we're going to open the doors to work community college -- So I think this is one more piece of the puzzle it's a good start. It is only a start the these steps are just a short term down payment. On a larger goal of ensuring that all Americans get the skills and education they need to succeed in today's economy. And to that end. I have asked once again every American to commit to at least one year or more of higher education or career training. It can be community college. Or a four year school vocational training or an apprenticeship. Whatever the trading may be every American will need to get more than a high school diploma. And we will be backing up that effort with the support necessary. And we will ensure the by 21. America once again have highest proportion of college graduates in the world. In the weeks to come -- also lay out a fundamental rethinking of our job training vocational education and community college programs. It's time to move beyond the idea that we need several different programs to address several different problems. We need one comprehensive policy that addresses our comprehensive challenges. That's how will open the doors of opportunity and -- a new foundation for our economic growth by investing in our citizens. That's what we've always emerged from tough times stronger than before because the hard work and determination and ingenuity of the American people. And I'm confident that if we summon that spirit once again we will get through this we'll see our nation recover. And together along with folks like Maureen and share. We're gonna put America on the -- shared. And lasting prosperity once again. Thank you very much or but it everywhere can."