Obama touts $500 million in work-training incentives during Waukesha visit

WAUKESHA — President Barack Obama used his visit to a Waukesha manufacturer to officially launch a review of all federally funded work-training programs, and announced $500 million in incentives for states to create new ones in partnership with community and tech colleges.

“There will be at least one winner in each state,” Obama promised a cheering crowd of more than 400 people at General Electric’s Waukesha gas engines plant on Thursday. “We’re putting some real money into this.”

Obama was introduced by GE employee Reggie Troop, 26, of Milwaukee, who was hired as a machine operator 15 months ago, as a result of such a training program.

“My second child was on the way,” said the married father of two. “I knew I had to get some type of skill so I could make a living wage.”

Troop told reporters afterward that he’s worked for minimum wage in the past, and knows he couldn’t support a family on such wages. He showed off the pen that Obama had used to sign the executive order onstage and said it was a dream come true to be able to meet the president and receive such a gift.

Obama said to be effective, training programs must be specifically designed for job openings.

“No more ‘train and pray,'” the president quipped, where workers are given some training and employers pray the skills will suffice.

Brian White, senior executive with GE’s Waukesha gas engines, told reporters that his plant already participates in two community worker training programs: Wisconsin Regional Training Partnership/BIG STEP and a partnership with Kettle Moraine High School. In addition, he said the company has ressurrected its own internal adult apprenticeship program. Several graduates of the WRTP program have been hired, and White foresees plenty of future openings.

“I have 400 hourly workers — the average age is 55 and they will be retirement-eligible in the next three years,” said White.

Another GE executive said she sees a strong symbolism in Obama’s decision to speak at GE, given the president’s theme of powering through adversity during his State of the Union address two days ago.

Waukesha gas engines — which is a trademarked name — are described on the company’s website as designed to “perform under extreme conditions,” including at high altitudes and harsh, remote locations, such as oil and gas fields.

“We showed him our ‘9-11 engines’ on the tour,” said Lorraine Bosinger, CEO of GE’s Distributed Power business unit. She said Waukesha gas engines in the World Trade Center towers were among the last equipment to remain running during the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. “We believe they saved lives, because they kept the elevators running as long as possible,” she said.

Because GE equipment can pump shale gas, Bosinger said the firm also is helping the president’s goal of reducing dependence on foreign oil.

— By Kay Nolan
For WisBusiness.com