ELYRIA -- Thomas Nims agrees with Governor John Kasich's goal of improving the state's job training programs and network.
Nims was a truck driver who lost his job and was out of work for three years.
"If it wasn't for this program, I don't know where I'd be," he said.
Nims is in a program at Lorain County Community College that teaches computer-aided machining. It's funded by the federal government, but overseen by the state.
As the economy recovers, new factory jobs require using more modern machines and new skills.
The 18-week program Nims is in has a placement rate of above 95 percent as companies line up for graduates.
"We can't keep up with supplying people fast enough,"said Instructor Anothy Tifiletti.
Trifilleti has walked in his students shoes. He started a new career after losing his job at the Chrysler Twinsburg plant.
Governor Kasich is taking control of the state's crazy-quilt of training programs. There are 77 programs run by 13 different agencies with no central plan or oversight.
The Governor says employers tell him they have open jobs, but can't find qualified workers. There are almost 80,000 jobs unfilled statewide.
He said community colleges must assume a more active role connecting employers and jobs.
"Community colleges should be the emergency vehicle. When there is a job available, put the student or adult in their so they can get the training they need for the job," Kasich said.
Lorain County Community College has more than 15,000 trainees and students in programs that teach specific career skills.
The college customizes specific programs for companies that have specific needs.
But that's one of the problems. Many companies cannot or will not share information about job needs.
LCCC President Roy Church is advising the governor on this issue.
"What the Governor can do in his work with companies is get them to be as specific as they can about what they need and when they will need it," he said.
The governor spoke of special training programs to supply workers for companies involved in natural gas drilling.
Church said LCCC already has programs to train workers for companies making equipment for the drilling effort.
Sims is grateful he will soon be working.
"They really want us. You kind of feel like a draft pick coming out of this program, " he said.
The governor hopes to create more stories like that.
WKYC-TV