Walker: Skills gap is state's biggest challenge

DE PERE — Now that his presidential run has ended, Gov. Scott Walker said he will focus on improving Wisconsin’s economy by making sure more people receive training to fill a worker shortage in skilled manufacturing.

“This year our big challenge is not just creating jobs but filling jobs and making sure people have the skill sets they need,” Walker said Thursday after touring PDQ Manufacturing Inc.

The tour was one of several Walker did across the state to promote October as manufacturing month in Wisconsin.

“Working with Northeast Wisconsin Technical College or others like them across the state is now more important than ever,” he said.

Related:With Walker out, what's next for Wisconsin?

Walker said spending face time with Wisconsin residents will help curb his sliding approval rating in the state since running for president.

The latest Marquette University Law School poll released Wednesday showed his approval rating dropped to 37 percent from 39 percent in August.

“I’ll be here talking to people and, more importantly, listening to people, listening not only to job creators but educators, small business owners, family farmers and others out there,” Walker said.

Walker declined to answer questions about his brief presidential bid, which he ended on Sept. 21.

“All that I’ve said about the campaign on the 21st is all that I’m going to say going forward. To me, it does me no good to look backwards. The state’s motto is ‘Forward’,” Walker said.

Walker said he plans to visit Northeastern Wisconsin at least two more times in the next two weeks.

— arodewal@pressgazettemedia.com and follow him on Twitter @AdamGRodewald and on Facebook at Facebook.com/AdamGRodewald.