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The Mobile Launch Pad for Critical Careers was created to introduce visitors to
Science Technology Engineering and Math or S.T.E.M. across North Carolina.
These careers are important becasue they are expected to grow
across North Carolina and the nation.
We introduce visitors to these careers, by having industry standard equipment
for hands-on demostrations, so visitors can play with.
We've got robots, games and high quality electronics!
The rules have changed!
In a single generation, revolutions in technology have transformed the way we live, work and do business.
All new jobs will require an education that goes beyond a high school education.
We are investing in research and new technologies...
we are also revitalizing America's Community Colleges.
Last month, I saw the promise of these schools at Forsyth Tech in North Carolina.
Many of the students there used to work in the surrounding factories that have since left town.
One mother of two, a woman named Kathy Proctor, had worked in the furniture industry since she was 18 years old.
And she told me she's earning her degree in biotechnology now, at 55 years old, not just because the furniture jobs are gone,
but because she wants to inspire her children to pursue their dreams too. As Kathy said, "I hope it tells them to never give up."
If we take these steps
if we raise expectations for every child, and give them the best possible chance at an education, from the day they're born until the
last job they take
We will invest in biomedical research
information technology
and especially clean energy technology...
...move foward with biofuels
And become the first country to have
a million electric vehicles on the road by 2015.
Now clean energy breakthroughs, will only translate into clean energy jobs if buisnesses know there will be a market for what they are
selling.
So tonight I challenge you to join me in setting a new goal,
by 2035, 80 percent of Americas electricity will come from clean energy sources.
Others want nuclear, clean coal and natural gas.
I came to Forsyth... today, becasue you have shown, what this future can look like...
Half a century later you are stilll giving students the skills and training they need to get good jobs.
But of course...
the courses in machine shops, and car mechanics
have now broadened to degrees in mechanical engineering technology...and nanotechnology ....and biotechnology.
And meanwhile, your unique partnerships that you are building with advanced manufacturing and biotechnology firms,
will ensure that the businesses of the future locate here and stay here.
As a national leaders in Bioscience and innovation,
North Carolina is now the countries third largest employer in Biotechnology.
...And when Catipillar recently decided to build a plant in this community, they told President Green one of the main reasons was...
...they were convencied that Forsyth Tech had the capability of providing them with technical workforce they needed.
