House approves plan for state jobs council

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Indiana House has approved a plan to create a new statewide jobs council aimed at closing Indiana's "skills gap" to help lower its stubborn unemployment rate.

House members stood and applauded after unanimously approving the bill Tuesday afternoon that is co-sponsored by Republican House Speaker Brian Bosma and Democratic House leader Scott Pelath (PEE'-lath).

The plan creates a 16-member Indiana Career Council led by the governor with government, education and business leaders. It's tasked with preparing by December a plan for matching up the state's workforce training programs and available jobs.

Bosma says the council should help break down barriers and spread information about available training programs.

The proposal now goes to the Senate for consideration.