JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Vice President Mike Pence and senior advisor to the president Ivanka Trump, spent the day in Jacksonville.
First, they stopped for a roundtable discussion at Operation New Hope, an organization that helps former inmates find gainful employment.
Following that visit they toured Miller Electric Company on the Southside which partners with Operation New Hope.
The Jacksonville-based company employs almost 2,000 people across 16 offices nationwide and its executives say it has hired more than 300 people in the last 18 months thanks to tax cuts under the Trump administration -- a job growth that Pence highlighted in his speech.
Here are some photos of the @VP and @IvankaTrump touring the @meco_jax facility earlier today. Tune in at 5 @actionnewsjax for a recap of their message to employees. pic.twitter.com/IEX05YGxZP
— Lorena Inclán (@LorenaANjax) July 26, 2019
“You may not realize it, but the people of Florida are actually creating jobs at a faster rate than the national average,” said Pence.
He also praised Miller Electric for expanding its apprenticeship and training programs to help fill the demand for skilled labor.
“Electricians, welders and machinists ya’ll should know you’re in high demand, but too few Americans are pursuing these valuable career paths,” said Pence.
Longtime employee Donnie Smith, who now holds a leadership position, said hands-on training made a difference in his career.
“I went through the apprenticeship program. I’m 47 years old, I’ve been here 30 years,” said Smith.
Miller Electric’s CEO, Henry Brown, said he’s also seen an increase in people interested in learning his company's trade.
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“Our local training center here in Jacksonville at local 177 has seen a 60% increase in applicants over the past two years,” said Brown.
The Trump administration is very familiar with the Jacksonville-based company, a relationship that Ivanka Trump highlighted in her speech.
“I actually hold a very special place in my heart for Miller Electric because it was one of the first companies to sign our Pledge to America’s Workers,” said Trump.
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