Jindal: New spending to target employers

• By WILL SENTELL
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Feb 29, 2008 - Page: 1A

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Gov. Bobby Jindal on Thursday proposed $30 million in increased state spending so that new and existing businesses can tap into a better-skilled workforce.

“We have a long way to go to make sure we have skilled workers to meet the needs of existing employers, large  employers and new employers,” Jindal told reporters.

The proposal will be part of the governor’s first state operating budget, which his office will unveil today. It covers state spending for the state financial year that begins on July 1.

Lawmakers will review the package during the 2008 regular legislative session, which begins on March 31.

The plan that Jindal spelled out on Thursday includes:

• $3 million to launch a new program called “Quick Start Training” to help new and expanding companies identify, screen and train potential employees.
• $17.9 million for Louisiana’s “rapid response fund” for the state to respond to economic development opportunities.

The current, $10 million fund nearly ran dry midway through the current financial year, said Stephen Moret, secretary of the state Department of Economic Development.

• $400,000 to launch a new state push to cultivate existing firms.

Moret said that, while existing firms will provide 80 percent of future job growth, no state official has been in charge of that issue.

“We have to make sure we take care of our Louisiana businesses first and that they know their existing expansion opportunities are just as important to us as recruiting new businesses for this state,” Moret said.

Jindal’s workforce package also includes $10 million in new higher education spending to address shortages in health, construction and other areas.

The governor said some of the state’s workforce needs stem from new economic demands.

In the past, Jindal said, Louisiana’s natural resources, ports and other assets  provided plenty of jobs.

But he said the new demands of a global economy have triggered the need for more skilled workers.

Commissioner of Administration Angèle Davis agreed.

“Businesses are telling us that they find it very difficult to grow or locate in Louisiana because of workforce development challenges,” she said.

The $3 million proposal to identify and train workers would be similar to programs in states that Louisiana competes with, including Alabama and Georgia. The program will involve community and technical colleges, and private providers.