(AP Photo/Jim Cole/file) U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan, Democrat of New Hampshire, hosted a virtual roundtable that featured local advocates and healthcare professionals discussing ways to bring down the high costs of prescription medications.

KEENE – Monday, U.S. Senator Maggie Hassan participated in a workforce development roundtable at Keene State College where she heard about efforts in the Monadnock region to increase collaboration and develop new workforce pathways. The Senator also heard from Keene State College officials about their new workforce development and upskilling initiative, which is funded in part through the state and local funding in the American Rescue Plan that Senator Hassan worked to pass into law. The roundtable was part of a larger summit hosted by Keene State College to discuss regional workforce challenges and collaboration between education and business partners.

“Thank you to Keene State for putting together today’s summit on workforce development,” said Senator Hassan. “We have a workforce shortage in New Hampshire, with many people who could fill these good-paying jobs but just need the right training – and it is a focus of mine to strengthen our workforce development programs. These programs help engage workers who might have fallen out of the labor force or who are looking to jumpstart their career to the next level, and help businesses have the workforce that they need to thrive.”

During the roundtable, Senator Hassan spoke with local education, community, and business leaders about how workforce programs can help meet the needs of businesses and how the region is working to recruit and retain young people. The Senator also discussed what she’s working on in Congress to help address the workforce challenges in the state.

Hassan is working across the aisle to help ensure that America’s workforce is prepared to compete in the 21st century innovation economy. Senator Hassan and colleagues are working on a comprehensive package to invest in American manufacturing and outcompete countries like China, and Senator Hassan is working to include her bipartisan Fast Track To and Through College Act with Senator Todd Young (R-IN) to expand access to college-level classes for high school students. Senators Hassan and Todd Young (R-IN) also led the effort in reintroducing the bipartisan Gateway to Careers Act to help expand economic opportunity for hard-working Americans and to support innovative businesses in need of a strong workforce. The Senator also joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing the Success for Rural Students and Communities Act, which would assist rural students in reaching their higher education goals and connect them with employment opportunities in their hometowns.