Lake Area Technical College President Cartney to Testify Before Senate Commerce Committee

March 27, 2017

 WATERTOWN, SD — Lake Area Technical College President Mike Cartney has been invited to testify on “Closing the Skills Gap and Boosting U.S. Competitiveness” before the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.   Cartney’s testimony will be part of a full committee hearing at 10 a.m. EST on Wednesday, March 29 in Washington, D.C.  The invitation comes from the committee’s chair, Senator John Thune.

Cartney’s remarks will include his insights into the skilled workforce gap and post-secondary Career and Technical Education’s role in closing that gap. “I am honored to accept Senator Thune’s invitation to testify.  The skills gap we see impacting South Dakota plays out in every state across the country.   I believe community colleges, particularly technical institutions, are uniquely situated to assist in addressing that gap.  The Technical Skills Gap that is profoundly affecting industry and negatively impacting the growth of our local economies and citizenry,” Cartney said.  “I look forward to providing the committee examples of best practices we employ right here in South Dakota and at Lake Area Technical College that are helping to fill that gap.”

The hearing will be streamed live at www.commerce.senate.gov/public/  and the recorded file will be permanently posted for viewing the following day.