Candidates from both parties for governor in Tennessee say they’d like to strengthen the connection between higher education and industry. Several want more programs tailored to businesses in the state that will hire newly-minted graduates.
Former state house majority leader Kim McMillan says an educated workforce is the most important factor in bringing economic development to the state. McMillan, a Democrat, cited a program to train workers at Austin Peay State University which helped lure a solar technology company to build a billion-dollar facility in Clarksville.
“We can do it just like we did with Hemlock Semiconductor. We can create the programs in our higher education system and even in our K through 12 system, that train these students for the jobs of the future.”
That sentiment was shared by Memphis District Attorney Bill Gibbons, a Republican.
“Hemlock Semiconductor is a prime example of that – where we’re trying to match education in the Clarksville area to that particular industry. We need to do that state wide.”
Other candidates agreed the state’s economy under the next governor will hinge on strong education.
EXTRAS:
The candidates spoke at a forum Thursday night at Belmont University.
Hear all seven major candidates for governor weigh in on the connection between education and job-growth:
In order, the candidates speaking are Gibbons, Democrat Mike McWherter, Republican Congressman Zach Wamp, State Senate Minority Leader Jim Kyle (D), Lieutenant Governor Ron Ramsey (R), Knoxville Mayor Bill Haslam (R), and McMillan.
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