Sen. Franken talks job creation in Rochester - KXLT - Fox 47 Rochester MN News, Weather and Sports

ROCHESTER, Minn. (FOX 47) -- U.S. Sen. Al Franken visited Rochester Friday afternoon to talk job creation.

He started the day by speaking to the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce about his efforts to expand job creation in Minnesota and across the country.

"We have hundreds of thousands of jobs in this country that are going unfilled in manufacturing," the Democrat told the audience.

Franken went on to say the answer to filling those jobs is teamwork.

"If we have the workforce boards and schools and the industries work together, they can design curriculum for people to get these skills and immediately go to work," Franken said.

After his time at the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, Franken stopped by the WorkForce Center to meet with site officials and discuss job training efforts in the region.

During his visit he spoke about employment for veterans. He said post 9/11 vets have a higher unemployment rate than the state as a whole.

"Please take the opportunity to hire a vet," Franken said. "I think we all really honor the service they gave that they put everything on the line, and when they come back the best way to move on with their lives is to get a job."

Franken helped pass a bill in Congress that gives tax credits to businesses that hire veterans. He said he hopes to see more work like this being done while he represents Minnesota in the U.S. Senate.