Senator Baldwin stops in Eau Claire to talk skills gap, gun control

Eau Claire (WQOW) - Senator Tammy Baldwin was in Eau Claire Thursday to visit CVTC's NanoRite Technology Center. She spoke about the "skills gap" in the state. Baldwin says lots of jobs are available in industries that require a two year technical college degree, but there aren't enough qualified workers to fill those positions.

"We have so many people who were displaced in our great recession, displaced from manufacturing jobs, you have manufacturers who want new workers, but they're finding a gap between skills. And Chippewa Valley Technical college and our statewide technical college system are really stepping up and forming partnerships and tackling this problem," says Senator Baldwin.

The senator says she's hoping to bring forward legislation to help fix the problem during this session.

"I'm on a committee that will be dealing with educational and labor issues and so the skills gap is one that is of deep interest to me, and I'd really like to see us move forward. It's frustrating when you have good paying available jobs, people who want work and want those jobs, and all that's needed is the resources needed to close that skills gap," says Baldwin.

She also spoke about the national debate over gun control. Baldwin says she's in support of closing loopholes on background checks for gun sales.

"I think closing that loophole is a very important thing, and it's a view widely shared among gun owners like myself and people who don't. I strongly support the second amendment but I think the second amendment is entirely consistent with prudent safety measures, and we need to step forward to protect our citizens and protect our communities," Baldwin says.