I want to follow up on Monday's post on the skills gap facing businesses. The President devoted a few minutes in his State of the Union speech to the problem.

On Tuesday before the President's speech, I asked Jay Timmons, president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, about what NAM members are doing to help people get the skills employers are looking for.

He said the Manufacturing Institute, affiliated with NAM, developed a manufacturing skills certification system, and plans to certify 500,000 workers by 2016.

Timmons: Working with @TheMFGInstitute to certify 500,000 workers to bridge skills gap. #tbb

— Manufacturers Assoc. (@ShopfloorNAM) January 24, 2012

Manufacturers are taking it upon themselves to train a quality workforce. Government working with the business community can bridge the gap.