First Lady Jill Biden is getting ready to speak about workforce training programs. You are watching live coverage here on cspan 3. [applause] right down the road. One thing did change, shes the first lady, which is great, but number two, she still goes in and teaches two days a week. So with that, its an incredible honor to introduce to you the first lady of United States of america, dr. Jill biden thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. You know, ive been in politics, for my god, what . 46 years. You know, i know this is just what you want to do after lunch, sit and listen to an economics speech. So, yeah, you see . Im not lying. [laughter] you know, im a teacher, so if i see anyone pulling out their phone, i know i better speed it up because you are bored. You are checking out stuff. So what phil did not tell you is that, yes, i was born in new jersey on a weekend be forward to the work ahead and we cannot wait to get started. Actually, we have already started. So this summer we are traveling rolling a lot. I also want to thank the entire nga leadership for inviting me to join you. So, i enjoyed hosting you at the white house earlier this year, and getting to know many of you, and getting to know many of their spouses. So i guess im hoping that i see most of you this winter, but i know that before that happens, im going to be into a lot of your states. And then how about tom perez . Where is tom . Thank you for being here and congratulations. [applause] you see . Hes the bad kid, hes already snuck out. Oh no, okay. [laughter] so you can roll the teleprompter. [laughter] anyway, today i want to talk to you about how we can come together all of us to build an economy with good paying american jobs, and i think its something that we can all agree on no matter what side of the aisle we are on. So when i was growing up, you know, success meant one thing. Getting a four year degree. Im sure it was the same for most of you. But, i teach at it Community College outside of washington d. C. , and while some of my students are working toward their bachelors degrees, that path just isnt right for all of them. And you probably know this. I mean you probably know this from your own states. And joe understands that a High School Diploma alone isnt enough to find a great career. That does not mean theres only one path to success. So students, and i love this part of it as a teacher, students can enroll in high school. Im sure many of you have this in your states, and to take College Courses and then they can enroll in registered apprenticeships. And they can train and growing industries and find great jobs with associates agrees. Associates degrees. Through the biden administrations investing in america agenda, we are creating millions of these drops and growing Industries Like clean energy and manufacturing. Its work that pays well and often does not require four years of college. So the biden Education Pathway starts with free high quality universal preschool, because that is where its at, i dont care. Weve got to get those kids educated early, off to a good start. And it ends with a High School Experience that prepares students for, you know, for their next steps. So it provides for two years of affordable Community College. It opens up an avenue to a fouryear degree. If that is what you want. So this is bidenomics. You know, youve heard joe say this 1 million times, from the bottom up and middle out. That is what he campaigned on. That is what he said he was going to do, grow the middle class. In the time that it may feel like we struggle to find common ground, these efforts can bring americans together. Ive seen how many of you are already doing these types of programs in their own states. In colorado, i talked to state legislators from both sides of the aisle, it was a great visit, that would provide free at reduced cost job training for in demand careers. The governor signed the bill in may. So i want to thank you for that. There you are. Yes. That was a fun visit. Then in vermont, i saw how Governor Scott is supporting incredible partnerships between high schools and colleges, and employers like technologies to invest in young people about electric nichols. You know what was interesting . He took me to see, and you may not even have thought about this, electric planes. It just doesnt hit your head when we say electric vehicles. Right . You are thinking cars. But we went to see electric planes and it was really, i mean for me, it was something new. Then in arizona, governor hobbs and i met a young woman earning a degree and construction. Construction management thanks to the programs at mesa Community College. She is going to graduate into a field where workers could make nearly 100,000 a year. So, i had to think about doing it myself because, hey, that is more than im making. Right here in new jersey and in new york, you know, the governors here are working with the federal Transit Administration to put billions towards gateway hudson river tunnel project. So this is going to change lives for hundreds of thousands of people who need the tunnel to commute, as well as thousands of skilled workers who will be a part of this project. So thank you, philip, for doing that. And thank you, cathy. I cant see where you are. Oh, thank you. And, you know, i think governors understand preparing our workforce is just bigger than a blue issue or a red issue. I dont know. I mean i just saw all of you in january, and then a couple of times ive seen you again, ive seen you here, you all seemed to get along so well. I cant imagine that theres differences. I mean, there are things that we can agree on. You understand that education is about the urging you to follow michigan and wisconsin and marylands lead and put that money to work. Whether that is creating registered apprenticeships or providing childcare or Emergency Assistance for students in Community College programs. So, i dont know, lets find in it data innovative ways, you see . Im trying to go fast because no one has picked up their phone so far as i can see. Usually, im moving around my classroom at this point and now im standing here on the stage. So, we have to find innovative ways to connect to students and employers, so that every student in every community can find the path that works for them. So, in may we announced what we are calling the workforce hubs initiative. I dont how they came up with that name. Anyway, it focuses on five key cities. All right, thats my staff waving back there. I dont care. I just dont like that name. They shouldve had something catchy or you know . Anyway, we are in phoenix, columbus, baltimore, augusta, to pittsburgh. They received significant investments from legislation like the bipartisan infrastructure law, as well as private companies. And in these cities, the Biden Harris Administration is partnering with all of you, local officials, employers, unions, Community Colleges, high schools, and other partners to ensure that we have a Skilled Workforce that can meet the demand for labor created investments. These efforts wont fall only strengthen these five cities, theyre going to provide models that we can replicate across the country. So, yesterday i visited the workforce hub in columbus, ohio. The energy and enthusiasm there were really unmistakable. And they are creating new pathways to local jobs that will change peoples lives. And joes father used to say, and i agree with this, a job as a lot more, you know, about a lot more than a paycheck. It is about your dignity. And i see this with my own students. You know, joe watched his dad struggled to find good work. That is how his dad actually ended up in wilmington, because there were no jobs in scranton. Did i say that right . Scranton. Scranton. You know how many times a week i hear that word . [laughter] and he saw how a job change a families that. And i sought to. I mean my dad came from a family of italian immigrants and his father deliberately furniture for a living, but thanks to the g. I. Bill, you know, my dad was able to get a degree and car about a good life for my sisters and for me. And joe understands the middle class because we are from the middle class. And hes working to build the economy, like i said, from the bottom up and middle out. He knows that he can only do this with you. And you know this to. Our governors as our partners. So together, as we really fundamentally transform what it means to make a living and to make a life here in america. So thanks for being a great audience. You should be out on the beach in your bathing suits, so i appreciate you are sitting here and i look forward to seeing all of you in your host states. Thanks for listening. [applause]