Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb laid out his “Next Level” jobs agenda today.
At an event celebrating Indiana’s record-breaking year in job creation, Holcomb said the 2018 Next Level Agenda continues his 2017 priorities while placing a greater emphasis on building Indiana’s workforce to fill high-wage, high-demand jobs:
“For Indiana to continued to be ranked #1, the best in the Midwest and in the top 5 in the nation, our workforce needs to be ‘skilled up’ appropriately,” Holcomb said.
The 2018 Next Level Agenda includes five pillars, outlining both legislative and administrative priorities for the year ahead. Read details on the pillars below:
1. Cultivate a strong and diverse economy.
To continue cultivating a strong and diverse economy, Gov. Holcomb’s 2018 agenda focuses on attracting new talent, supporting our growing tech sector, preparing for next generation technologies and opportunities, and encouraging sustainable regional development.
2. Maintain and build the state’s infrastructure.
After advancing an historic long-term road funding plan in 2017, Gov. Holcomb’s 2018 agenda focuses on better managing the state’s water resources, expanding our global economic presence with a fourth port, and improving broadband access, speed and affordability where it’s needed most.
3. Develop a 21st Century skilled and ready workforce.
The 2018 action items outlined in Gov. Holcomb’s education and workforce plan were created with three guiding principles in mind:
· Provide every Hoosier child an effective baseline education infused with skills and attributes that prepare them for life after high school.
· Ensure students graduate from high school set on a pathway that prepares them for college, career training or a quality job.
· Connect working-age adults to education and training that leads them directly to employment aligned with industry needs.
To accomplish these goals, the state will build the framework for the new system through the Governor’s Education to Career Pathway Cabinet, enabling plans, resources and operations to be locally determined and managed.
4. Attack the Drug Epidemic.
Gov. Holcomb’s agenda continues Indiana’s attack on the opioid epidemic by strengthening enforcement, expanding recovery options and making it easier for Hoosiers to locate and access treatment. Additionally, the 2018 Next Level Agenda calls for improved reporting and monitoring as well as a stronger focus on programs that help reduce infant mortality rates in our state.
5. Deliver Great Government Service.
Great government service remains the cornerstone of Gov. Holcomb’s Next Level Agenda. With that in mind, Indiana will continue its history of strong financial management and maintain healthy reserves in 2018. The agenda also calls for a new parental leave policy for state employees, streamlined and simplified processes for citizens to interact with state government, and better outcomes from large-scale IT projects to improve state government service.
As part of his state-wide tour this week, the Governor will be at the ETHOS Science Center on North Michigan Street in Elkhart at 1:30 p.m. Friday.
