Pence signs bills for job-training councils

Indiana will create two commissions that aim to increase vocational education in high schools and better coordinate job training programs under bills signed by Gov. Mike Pence.

Republican and Democratic legislative leaders joined Pence as he signed the bills Monday in front of a couple dozen high school students during a Statehouse ceremony.

Pence says he believes the new regional works councils and statewide Indiana Career Council will help create new pathways to attract and retain jobs in the state.

Supporters of the new commissions say they're needed to help close Indiana's "skills gap" where some companies have jobs available but many applicants lack the necessary training at a time when the state's jobless rate remains above 8 percent.