John Gregg says he wants the future of Indiana to resemble what’s being done in Lafayette.
The Democrat running for Governor came to the city Wednesday to discuss his vision for the state.
Gregg says pulling the state from the effects of the recession is dependent on improving the education system and having a more skilled workforce.
"All the jobs in the world don't matter unless we have a well educated workforce," he said. "We're going to do education reform in Indiana when I'm governo, but we are going to include teachers. Teachers deserve a voice in education reform. It's not going to work unless we allow teachers a seat at the table and listen to them.”
He praised the work of Lafayette’s manufacturing and agriculture businesses during meetings with the Association of Indiana Convention and Visitors Bureaus and Alcoa.
He says the success of those industries locally is model for the entire state.
"When we are talking about the future, we are talking about research and development, sustainability in (agriculture) as well as all of the great jobs and jobs creation you've had, right here, in Tippecanoe County."
Gregg faces Republican Mike Pence in November’s election.
Pence unveiled a plan this week to increase vocational training.
He is calling for the creation of work councils to create new curriculums for students not heading to college.