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KIRKSVLLE, MO. -- Community college and new jobs were the hot topic across Missouri Tuesday.          

Governor Jay Nixon visited Moberly Area Community College in Kirksville to highlight his Training for Tomorrow program.

The $12 million initiative will provide grants to help community colleges expand training programs for more students.

Training for Tomorrow is part of Nixon’s 2010 jobs package.

“There are good paying jobs, stable careers out there in this economy right now but not just anyone can apply.  You've gotta have the skills, the knowledge, and most importantly, the training to get those jobs," said Missouri Governor Jay Nixon. 

"Always skilled training is hard to come by and hard to find people that have the right skills for the jobs.  Community college plays a big role in that training people that are ready to go out and go to work," said MACC Dean of Career and Technical Education Dr. Greg Mosier.

Nixon says the number of students attending Missouri community colleges is increasing and there isn't always room for the students.

He says community college attendance makes up 40 percent of total higher education in the state.

The deadline to apply for the grant money is February 15th.

“Our department of economic development will award those funds on a competitive basis and will support the programs that make the most difference for the most workers," said Governor Nixon. 

Nixon says even though the economy is tough there are plenty of jobs out there for people with college degrees.

 “We must continue to grow fields where there are jobs, we must grow them rapidly, and there are clearly fields where we need skilled workers right now," said Governor Nixon. 

"What we need to do as community colleges and colleges in general is to prepare those individuals so that they can be ready to handle the workforce and be a productive part of that workforce," said Mosier.

Mosier says healthcare is booming and there is a nursing shortage even in Kirksville.

"One of the programs that we're proposing in the grant is to expand our nursing program up in the Kirksville area," said Mosier.

Training for Tomorrow will not require legislative approval.  However the other two components of the Governor’s 2010 jobs package will require approval.