Gov. Wolf says jobs will continue to be priority in his second term

Gov. Tom Wolf, who will be sworn into his second term on Jan. 20, said his administration will continue to invest in a highly trained and skilled workforce and to grow the state’s economy.

“Businesses are growing, and they need a well-educated and skilled workforce,” Wolf told the Iron Workers Local Union No. 3 in Pittsburgh on Monday. “We’re listening to workers and employers and investing in education and job training for careers in high demand. We’re building a workforce for the 21st century that will help business expand and thrive, create good jobs and build a stronger economy for everyone.”

During Wolf’s first term, the unemployment rate fell 1.2 percent, and the number of unemployment compensation claims dropped from 152,455 to 91,977. The state added more than 12,010 new businesses and 239,500 jobs.

Wolf also created several job initiatives including overhauling overtime rules, eliminating some business taxes, increasing the number of registered apprentices by 27 percent, and launching PAsmart and the Office of Apprenticeship and Training.

Plans for Wolf’s second term include raising the minimum wage to more than $7.25, supporting efforts to combat the gender wage gap, making investments in job training and supporting the creation of an additional 15,000 jobs.