Gov. Deal to expand high demand career initiative

Gov. Nathan Deal said Tuesday he wants to expand a workforce development program to provide free technical college enrollment to students in high demand programs.

The Republican said at the annual Eggs & Issues breakfast that he will ask lawmakers to include students enrolled in industrial maintenance programs.

It's part of a Strategic Industries Workforce Development Grant that provides training for students in targeted industries needing workers. Employers in companies big and small have long aired concerns that the state doesn't have enough highly trained workers to replace those who have left the workforce or retired.