State Senator Becky Schmitz says “community colleges are helping build the skilled workforce needed to attract good paying jobs and grow Iowa’s economy.” Schmitz made the remarks yesterday while touring Kirkwood Community College’s Washington campus with Iowa Senate Majority Whip Tom Courtney.  Courtney says he accompanied Schmitz to Washington to see how people in her district are “effectively responding to the global economic recession.  Schmitz says she supports Kirkwood Community college because it provides students with skills “demanded by 21st century jobs.”  A news release from the Senator’s office says most Kirkwood Washington Campus graduates are hired in the local community.