Indianapolis, in. — Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb delivered his State-of-the-State address last night focusing on jobs, education, opioids and skills training for Hoosiers. The top priority of those topics was re-training Hoosiers to be prepared for the job market.
Statistics show there are 85,000 jobs unfilled today, and another several hundred thousand coming available as baby boomers retire over the next 10 years. Holcomb says his administration has a goal of re-training at least 55,000 residents this year.
As part of the changes in graduation requirements Holcaomb wants to make computer science curriculum mandatory. The initiative will be fully funded in 2019, the new graduation requirements will be in place for the class of 2023.
Holcomb also wants to help at least 1,000 inmates in Indiana prisons get a vocation certificate or credential by 2020.
“Our greatest challenge is that too many Hoosiers lack the education and skills for the jobs that are here today and being created tomorrow—nearly all of which require a post-secondary education. It’s a challenge faced by every state and a major concern for every business,” Gov. Holcomb said. “This is the issue of the decade, and we don’t have a day to waste.”
Holcomb also said the state plans to increase the number of opioid treatment facilities from 18 to 27. Officials want to place a treatment facility within one hour of all Hoosiers.
Following the speech, Indiana Democratic Party Chairman John Zody issued the following statement, criticizing the governor’s speech:
“After tonight, I can’t blame Hoosiers for feeling left behind. Leaders rise to meet challenges. Governor Holcomb stepped back. He offered few details and a vision that borrows all the wrong ideas that left Hoosier families behind in the first place. Vulnerable children at DCS will have to wait. Working families swamped by the rising cost of living and stagnant wages will have to wait. Hoosiers crushed by the wave of opioid addiction will have to wait. Hoosiers need more than a caretaker, they need a governor with bold ideas who acts with urgency. On the biggest stage, Holcomb failed to share a clear vision for where he wants to take Indiana.”
