Ford's continued investment in Ky. should prompt more evolution of technical education, Shaughnessy says

Kentucky’s community and technical colleges must continue ramping up specific programs to train future workers for companies, such as Ford Motor Co., that remain major employers in the region.

Ford last week showcased its newly revamped $600 million production facility in Louisville that will be able to produce as many a six different models at the same time. It is currently assembling the 2013 Escape.

State Sen. Tim Shaughnessy, a Democrat from Louisville who works for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System, talked on Wednesday’s edition of Pure Politics about what Ford’s investment in Louisville means for Kentucky’s education system:

In the second interview segment (below), Shaughnessy said he wouldn’t count out Republican Senate President David Williams to return as the leader of the chamber next year.

“Don’t underestimate David. David Williams is incredibly bright and talented and he could take the Senate in a different direction if he chose to do so,” Shaughnessy said (1:50).

Shaughnessy is leaving the Senate at the end of the year after choosing not to seek a seventh term.

Shaughnessy talked about shades of bipartisanship (3:00) and his review of Gov. Steve Beshear’s approach (4:30), as well as the role of Democratic minority leaders in the state Senate (6:30).