February 22, 2012

Manchin To Focus On Retraining For Jobs On Day 3 Of “Our Values, Our Priorities” Weeklong Tour

Following a roundtable with higher education officials, Manchin will highlight the role West Virginia’s higher education institutions have to play in retraining our workforce

**New Events Added**

During his weeklong tour, Manchin will talk about the values and priorities that make West Virginia strong, focusing on local businesses, economic growth, retraining for good jobs and creating jobs

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.) will continue a weeklong statewide tour focused on “Our Values, Our Priorities,” today with a roundtable with higher education officials to discuss how to best train students and retrain workers for good-paying jobs. 

At 11 a.m. at the W. Kent Carper Justice and Public Safety Complex, Manchin will hold a media availability after the roundtable, which will focus on key issues such as college preparation and readiness; affordability; institutional innovation and efficiencies; job placement of graduates; and workforce development. 

“We have reached a critical juncture for our next generation of workers. At the same time we are struggling with record unemployment, this nation also has millions of jobs going unfilled because workers do not have the skills necessary to fill them. That just doesn’t make sense to me,” Senator Manchin said. “One of our priorities for this nation must be to better educate our workers so that they can find the right jobs. Clearly, we have more work to do in that area. We need use our educational system more efficiently to help our workers develop the skills they need to fill existing jobs and the jobs of the future, and that’s what this roundtable discussion is all about – better using our resources to match our priorities.”

The Bureau of Labor statistics publishes a report each year on the economic value of getting an education by producing an estimate of the amount of money a person might earn over the course of their working life, given their level of education. They have found that higher levels of education lead to higher levels of earnings for individuals. And, according to the College Board, the typical bachelor’s degree recipient can expect to earn $1.4 million (66 percent) more during a 40-year working life than the typical high school graduate earns over the same period. In addition, the unemployment rate for individuals with at least a bachelor’s degree is consistently about half the unemployment rate for high school graduates.

Senator Manchin will continue the work week with events focused on “Our Values, Our Priorities,” including recognizing West Virginia’s strong businesses, creating jobs, retraining the unemployed for good-paying jobs, educating our children, strengthening our aging network and keeping our promises to seniors. 

**For Planning Purposes – Events Will Be Added** 
Public/Media Schedule for Senator Joe Manchin

WEDNESDAY, February 22, 2012 

Roundtable on Higher Education and Job Training 

When: 11 a.m.    
Where: W. Kent Carper Justice and Public Safety Complex, 301 Virginia Street East, Charleston 
What: Senator Manchin will participate in a media availability with higher education officials after a roundtable discussion focusing on key issues such as: college preparation and readiness; affordability; institutional innovation and efficiencies; job placement of graduates; and, workforce development.

THURSDAY, February 23, 2012 

Visit to Riverview at Clendenin School 

When: 8:45 a.m.
Where: 107 Koontz Avenue, Clendenin 
What: Senator Manchin will visit with residents and tour the facilities. 
Visit Roane County High School

When: 10:30 a.m. 
Where: One Raider Way, Spencer
What: Senator Manchin will visit Roane County High School. 

Visit Spencer Elementary School

When: 12 noon 
Where: 85 Clay Road, Spencer
What: Senator Manchin will visit Spencer Elementary School. 

Visit Spencer Middle School

When: 1 p.m. 
Where: 102 Chapman Avenue, Spencer
What: Senator Manchin will visit Spencer Middle School. 

Visit Spencer City Hall

When: 2:30 p.m.
Where: 116 Court Street, Spencer 
What: Senator Manchin will visit with area residents. 

FRIDAY, February 24, 2012

Visit Protea Biosciences

When: 9:00 a.m.
Where: 955 Hartman Run Road, Morgantown
What: Senator Manchin will visit with employees and tour the facility.

Visit NETL

When: 10:15 a.m.
Where: 3610 Collins Ferry Road, Morgantown
What: Senator Manchin will visit staff and tour the R&D labs.

Visit Key Logic

When: 3:45 p.m.
Where: 3168 Collins Ferry Road, Morgantown
What: Senator Manchin will tour the facility and speak with employees.

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