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Walberg Welcomes U.S. Secretary of Labor to Michigan to Discuss USMCA, Workforce Development

November 25, 2019

Jackson, Mich.—Congressman Tim Walberg welcomed U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia to Michigan's 7th District on Monday to visit with students, educators, and manufacturing leaders. They made stops in Washtenaw, Jackson, and Lenawee Counties to discuss the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) and building a skilled workforce to meet the needs of our growing economy.

"It was a pleasure to host Secretary Scalia in Michigan today and have a dialogue with our world-class students, workers, and manufacturers," said Congressman Walberg. "From near record low unemployment to strong job creation, workers are winning under the Trump Administration's pro-growth policies. We need to continue this economic momentum by developing a 21st century workforce and enacting better trade policies like the USMCA that will boost Michigan's manufacturing and agriculture sectors."

"In our visit today we've seen the strength of the current U.S. economy and bright prospects for the future," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia. "Talking to business leaders, workers, employers, and students, it is clear that Michigan has growing opportunities that will be bolstered by continued focus on workforce development and apprenticeships and by passage of USMCA. I want to thank Congressman Walberg for hosting me today and for being a valued partner on the House Education and Labor Committee."

Walberg and Secretary Scalia started the day at South and West Washtenaw Consortium, a career and technical education program based at Saline High School and open to students from Manchester, Chelsea, Dexter, Lincoln, Saline, and Milan. From there, Walberg and Secretary Scalia met with workers at Classic Turning, a manufacturing facility in Jackson, and held a roundtable with local education and business leaders. They ended the day at Adrian College to discuss the school's innovative partnership with Google that prepares students for in-demand careers.