ORANGEBURG, SC (WIS) - Many laid off workers are enrolled in two-year schools for job training. Now President Obama wants to give those schools more money to help those out of work get the skills they need.
One of those people is Bonnie LaBoon, who is studying to be a machinist at Orangeburg-Calhoun Technical College in Orangeburg.
"I'd like to work for ether Boeing, Bosch," she said.
Last year LaBoon was laid off from her office job. She went back to school to get back to work.
This week president Obama released his budget plan for next year that would help people like LaBoon. The proposal includes $8 billion for the nation's community colleges.
The Community College to Career Fund would be an incentive to make sure students find permanent jobs.
"I think it's great," said LaBoon. "We need jobs back here in America if there is no skilled workers to do them they keep going overseas."
It would also offer grants to state and local governments to lure companies and provide paid internships to low income students.
It's funding O-C Tech's President Dr. Walt Tobin says they need.
He says the money could go to machines so students learn on the same tools used by industries.
"We've done more with less," said Dr. Tobin. "I'll argue we can do more with more."
The President's proposal is not a done deal yet. It still has to get congressional approval.
"We all need to write our congressman and our senators to get this passed," said LaBoon. "We really do. This is not only good for Orangeburg but for the country."
Copyright 2012 WIS. All rights reserved.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2012 WorldNow and WISTV, a Raycom Media Station. 