The E4 Initiative: Economy • Employment
• Energy • Education
Wisconsin is at a critical juncture. The changing
economy, flawed trade agreements, rising health care costs and rising
energy prices have put communities and businesses across the state in
a difficult position. But Wisconsin’s unique strengths and resources
are a great cause for optimism. Wisconsin businesses have the potential
to lead the way - nationally and globally - in addressing emerging challenges.
That is why Senator Feingold is pushing his E4 Initiative - dubbed E4
because of its focus on Economy, Employment, Education, and Energy. Over
the coming weeks and months, Senator Feingold will take a multi-faceted
approach to harnessing Wisconsin’s strengths in order to create
jobs and enhance economic development. Feingold will focus on four key
areas: boosting small business innovation, supporting job growth in the
emerging energy sector, strengthening workforce development, and building
new education partnerships among our communities, high schools and businesses.
- Boosting Small Business
Innovation – Congress can do more to support small business
innovation. For example, Wisconsin small businesses focusing on water
technologies are in prime position to help the region, country and planet
address the grave problem of a lack of clean water. Feingold is proposing
to increase federal funding for small business innovation research and
technology transfer programs, and to prioritize work in energy, water,
transportation and domestic security – top national priorities
where Wisconsin has a strategic advantage.
- Supporting Job Growth
in the Emerging Energy Sector – With skyrocketing energy prices,
we should be prospecting for energy saving technologies. Businesses,
schools, and builders of all kind are looking for ways to make buildings
more energy efficient, conserve energy, and expand renewables, creating
a huge demand in the emerging energy sector for jobs – jobs that
are far more likely to stay right here in America. Feingold will continue
working to advance Green Jobs efforts and energy efficiency programs.
- Workforce Development
– We must help Wisconsin’s strong and able workforce find
jobs in existing and emerging areas of the economy, and help businesses
locate these qualified workers. Feingold’s initiative will seek
to expand awareness of and access to existing skills standards so more
people are prepared and certified to work in emerging fields. The initiative
will also strengthen transportation opportunities to help connect these
workers to the businesses that need them.
- Building New Education
Partnerships – With a number of our cities confronting staggering
high school dropout rates we should find ways to better engage teenagers
in learning. One way is to get them interested in new and exciting career
paths in emerging industries and give them opportunities to explore
those paths, whether they are going onto college or directly into the
workforce. Feingold’s initiative focuses on helping schools, businesses,
and others collaborate on improved ways to teach our students skills
that they can use in our region’s emerging industries.
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