Natalie Shirley, secretary of education and workforce development for the state of Oklahoma. [Photo provided]

Gov. Mary Fallin wants lawmakers to earmark $20 million for a new Critical Occupations Fund designed to put more people to work in jobs that are crucial to growing Oklahoma's economy.

The state had more than 71,000 unfilled jobs as of Aug. 31, and about 18,000 of those openings were critical occupations, such as engineers, teachers, nurses, chemists, accountants and truck drivers, Fallin said in her State of State address last week.

She proposed $20 million go to higher education programs that can produce more graduates to fill those jobs.

"A thriving, prosperous economy must have a skilled, educated workforce," Fallin said.