U.S. Labor Secretary Martin Walsh is in New Orleans today meeting with state and local officials to discuss workforce development and the trillion-dollar infrastructure bill. New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter said discussions with the secretary will include the need to hire locally when restoring infrastructure.
“We have talented people right here in our community that’s capable of swinging that hammer, and using that saw and rebuilding,” said Carter.
Roundtable discussions at Delgado Community College will also include nonprofit leaders that focus on post-disaster workforce issues. Carter said for example it’s Louisianans that should help rebuild areas of the state impacted by natural disasters.
“And I recently sent a letter requesting FEMA to wherever possible to utilize the talents of Louisianans when rebuilding Louisiana,” said Carter.
Another aspect of workforce development Carter wants to highlight is the need to fund organizations that assist the formally incarcerated with employment.
“Who are looking to be contributing citizens again but need an opportunity to enter the workforce or in some cases reenter the workforce,” said Carter.
Walsh’s visit also highlights congressional legislation for the creation of the Office of Climate Resilience to build a necessary workforce to rapidly respond to the worsening climate crisis.
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