SIOUX CITY, IA -
"A company needs welders with some specialized skills and there aren't any workers who have those skills," said Democratic State Senator Mike Gronstal Wednesday.
Senator Gronstal was describing an almost nightmare situation that Iowa state lawmakers are trying to avoid: a shortage of skilled workers.
In the process of making sure Iowa has plenty to fill demand, State Representative Chris Hall and State Senator Mike Gronstal met a crowd of more than a dozen at Western Iowa Tech Community College.
"If we invest now in worker training and retraining we can get those jobs as the economy starts to come back," said Senator Gronstal.
Both Hall and Gronstal say the solution starts with education, even if it's not traditional schooling.
Many of the jobs Iowa will need to fill might not require a four or even a two year degree.
"In a relatively short four week program they can train a welder to work for this company that needs welding for transmission equipment," said Senator Gronstal.
Lawmakers weren't the only ones at the meeting, some folks are concerned that extra training will be the state's responsibility.
Those people wonder why companies can't take more of a lead with job training.
"As a taxpayer I feel we are doing our part, but I don't know if that's being reciprocated on the other end," said concerned taxpayer William Burrows. "We do a lot with tax credits and that sort of thing, but as taxpayers, I don't know if we're getting the return that we should be."
January 14th is the deadline for Senator Gronstal to come up with a plan, that's when the Iowa legislature is back in session for 2013.
